Baidam Solutions partners with Google as an Indigenous cybersecurity role model

Brisbane-based cybersecurity firm Baidam Solutions has inked a partnership agreement with Google to help promote careers in cybersecurity for people from underrepresented communities.

Founded in 2018 by Jack Reis and Phillip Jenkinson, Baidam Solutions is an Indigenous-owned and operated First Nations cybersecurity and information consultancy.

The Supply Nation-certified firm has clients across the federal and state government, non-profit and enterprise sectors.

As part of the partnership, Baidam Solutions will share its business blueprint and philanthropic initiatives and impacts through local and international security conferences alongside Google.

“Jack and I are deeply excited about our partnership with Google; it will give global recognition to our First Nations initiatives,” says Phillip Jenkinson, co-Founder and CEO of Baidam Solutions.

Jenkinson highlighted Baidam Solutions' world-first co-designed security operations centre as an example of making a practical difference to Indigenous peoples' future.  

“Through sharing the blueprint of our business approach at scale, we have a unique opportunity to be a role model for First Nations communities all over the world. We hope to make it easier and less daunting for other businesses to follow in our footsteps,” he added.

The partnership aligns with Google’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan, announced in December 2022, to support a strong, inclusive digital future for all people in Australia.

“Being given the opportunity to share our business blueprint shows Google's depth of understanding and appreciation of what it means to be an Indigenous-owned business," said Jack Reis, co-founder and group CEO of Baidam Solutions. 

“This partnership will allow us to amplify the voice that we have in Australia and be heard by businesses around the world. If we can influence even one other business to adopt our model, we’ve helped to improve the world - it’s a job well done.”

Upcoming Baidam Solutions activities include sponsoring and presenting at AusCERT2024 – Pay It Forward - an industry event that regularly attracts around 500 attendees,

The firm is also sponsoring Supply Nation Connect 2024, where its key customers will meet other Supply Nation Indigenous businesses, and AISA Cybercon, which reaches over 5000 attendees that include students, graduates and cybersecurity professionals.

Baidam Solutions has also invested over 50 per cent of its profits into First Nations impacts through the Baidam Initiative and has established three perpetual university scholarships.

To date, the business has invested over $1.7 million on Indigenous salaries and spent $500,000 on procurement through Indigenous businesses and contractors.  

“Through Google and its global reach, we have a remarkable opportunity to speak about the relevance of our business, the lessons we've learned, and the resilience we’ve developed as we’ve encountered and overcome objections. We’re stepping up and saying this is how it's done in Australia,” said Jenkinson. 

Google's APAC partnerships lead Patty Gilchrist said “we were inspired by the work of Baidam and this partnership will further build on their already impactful work in promoting clear pathways into cybersecurity for people from all backgrounds.” 

“This partnership provides an opportunity for Baidam to share its significant work beyond Australia and benefit people looking for similar careers around the world.”