SYDNEY, Australia, 10 February 2005
Abstract:
National ICT Australia (NICTA) today announced a three year, $2 million agreement for a collaborative research project with Microsoft to focus on the research and development of technologies to improve web security.
Press Release:
The joint project, equally funded by NICTA and Microsoft, aims to improve web services security and to develop security architecture, management policies and protocols for web services. It will also provide opportunities for enhanced academic study and contributions to international standards.
Announcing the project, Dr Mel Slater, CEO and President, NICTA, said, “Our mission is to be an enduring world-class information and communications technology research institute for the benefit of Australia. Joining forces with Microsoft and its developer alliance program is one way in which we are achieving this.”
“An integral part of NICTA's mission lies not only in conducting collaborative research but also in developing and commercialising the intellectual property that stems from the research. The intellectual property that results from this project will vest in NICTA, with Microsoft receiving a non-exclusive license. It is through this arrangement that any commercialisation of this intellectual property will be to the direct benefit to the Australian economy and community,” he said.
Mr Steve Vamos, Managing Director, Microsoft Australia, said, “Our partnership with NICTA on this project demonstrates our united commitment to address the long term security challenges business and the industry is facing.
“With the emergence of web services as the most significant development in our industry it is important to get the right and the best minds so we can secure the environment going forward to benefit business and consumers.
The aim of the project is to identify gaps in technology web services security, develop security architectures, management polices and protocols for web services. The work from the project will also contribute to international standards and proof-of-concept demonstrations associated with public sector based web services scenarios.
The project will be led by Professor Vijay Varadharajan, who currently holds the Microsoft Chair for Innovation in Computing and is Director of Information and Networked System Security Research at Macquarie University. The project team will consist of five researchers, with the possibility of additional researchers joining throughout the project.
NICTA will also be using the project to support its NICTA endorsed graduate programs in conjunction with its partner universities: the ANU; UNSW; the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, Griffith University; Queensland University of Technology; and Queensland University. NICTA will contribute a post-graduate university course in Security for Web Services and prepare research reports for publication in international journals and conferences.
Microsoft will facilitate industry linkages to any commercial outcomes through their extensive network of Australian SMEs and through their certified partner program.
- Initial agreement is for 3 years. During second year, both parties have option to extend to a 4th year.
- Funding is comprised of $1.2m in cash and an estimated $800k in kind contributions for the provision of software licences, office space/admin etc.
About NICTA
National ICT Australia (NICTA) is a national laboratory with a charter to build Australia's pre-eminent Centre of Excellence for information and communication technology. NICTA is building capabilities in ICT research, research training and commercialisation in the ICT sector for the generation of national wealth.
National ICT Australia is funded by the Australian Government's Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and the Australian Research Council through Backing Australia's Ability and the ICT Centre of Excellence program.
NICTA was established and is supported by its members: The Australian Capital Territory Government; The Australian National University; NSW Department of State and Regional Development and The University of New South Wales. NICTA is also supported by its partners the University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, the Victorian Government and the Queensland Government, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology and Queensland University.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device.
For further information:
Clare Gill
National ICT Australia
Ph: 02 9209 4743 or 0414 580025
clare.gill@nicta.com.au
Kieran Moore
Howorth Communications
Ph: 02 8281 3830 or 0415 335 057
kieran@howorth.com.au
Photographs of the contract signing are available for download at http://nicta.com.au/director/mediacentre/photogallery.cfm