SAP Critical Data Cloud, the new platform for SAP cloud services in Australia and New Zealand, aims to protect mission-critical business applications of governments and highly regulated industries such as utilities, healthcare, and financial services.
SAP Australia has recently attributed its return to profitability during the 2020 financial year to the company’s growth in cloud-based customers. In its annual report to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the local arm of the German software giant stated that it continues to invest in its cloud capability to deliver increased profitability and in support of customer success.
Set to go live in the second half of 2021, SAP Australia considers its latest platform for SAP cloud services as a “significant investment” addressing the increased focus on enhancing whole-of-economy cybersecurity. Damien Bueno, President and Managing Director at SAP Australia and New Zealand, shared:
“The legislative environment and cyber considerations in both Australia and New Zealand require organisations of different sizes to think hard about moving to cloud. In support of those pursuing a cloud agenda, SAP is providing a service that puts all its software and service assets in an environment that exhibits the cloud and security characteristics needed to meet the legislative and security requirements of government.”
The fully managed service was first announced at the inaugural 2021 Government Services Summit hosted by The Australian Financial Review in association with Deloitte and supported by SAP and SAS. According to the tech giant, SAP Critical Data Cloud is intended to “support the Australian Government’s Official: Sensitive and Protected information” to help customers make more informed decisions faster.
Additionally, SAP said that the new platform supports secure integration to other systems like the public cloud and bespoke applications. It also allows customers to extend functionality within the same certified framework.
Meeting Legislative Requirements with New SAP Cloud Services Platform
Leveraging its work with SAP National Security Services (SAP NS2), the new SAP cloud services platform is designed to meet the legislative and security requirements of ANZ governments. As a provider of cloud hosting and software support specific to the U.S. government and regulated industries’ customers, SAP NS2 aims to deliver a high level of security in SAP products which include SAP Integrated Business Planning for Supply Chain, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP S/4HANA Cloud, and SAP Analytics Cloud solutions.
SAP Critical Data Cloud, on the other hand, aims to empower public and private customers to safely digitise services concerning customers, citizens, and employees while fulfilling legislative requirements. According to SAP, this reduces the complexity and cost of assessing and certifying multiple platforms and systems.
Moreover, Richard Bergman, Lead Partner for EY’s Oceania Cybersecurity, privacy and trusted technology practice, stated that SAP’s approach in leveraging hardened templates is a great way of helping Australian organisations combat the changing regulatory requirements and the increasing threat landscape. He explained:
“Planned changes to the Security of Critical Infrastructures Act and the increasing prevalence of foreign interference targeting the Australian public and private sector are driving an increasing need for sovereign cloud and security solutions and services.”
SAP Critical Data Cloud provides customers the full functionality of SAP’s cloud applications and is initially available for SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Business Technology Platform, SAP S/4HANA, and SAP Analytics Cloud.
“As a global enterprise provider and supporter to some of the world’s largest organisations, we’ve looked at how to drive efficiencies and provide customers with the capacity to deliver the sovereignty, security, and confidence they need from a trusted platform. This follows the launch of RISE with SAP, providing customers with everything they need to transform their organisation in a way that works best for them,” MD Bueno concluded.
