Google Cloud partnership improves data management for Health and Aged Care

The Department of Health and Aged Care and Google Cloud have announced a new partnership that promises to bring greater regulatory compliance, cost savings and innovation to its new Enterprise Data and Analytics platform.

Key points

• An enterprise data warehouse is a single database or a collection of databases that centralises information from multiple sources and applications and makes it available for widespread analytics and use
• The Department of Health and Aged Care currently uses several internal resources to store, share and manage its data assets, with open-source software Apache Hadoop (Hadoop) one of the largest 
• The Google Cloud Platform features a suite of cloud computing services that help organisations manage workloads, data, IT infrastructure and more in a secure digital environment
• Google Cloud provides increased security and AI-powered applications that help drive transformation, productivity and application development

The Department’s move to a new cloud-based data management and analytics platform aligns with its Data Stategy 2022-25 plan that featured a core strategic objective to ‘Determine and progressively implement the technology and innovative tools that support and enhance our capability to get the most from our data’.

Google Cloud was selected as The Department’s new Enterprise Data and Analytics platform following a competitive tender process. Its compliance and security credentials and AI integration were viewed as standout features. 

Platform-level implementation of zero-trust security and data sovereignty controls and the speed and scalability of its analytics capabilities were other key reasons for selection.

With increased Department transparency and data reporting, strengthened data management and storage security is essential at a time of heightened cybersecurity concerns. Google Cloud is one of 13 cloud services that hold Certified Strategic Service, the highest level of security certification in Australia.

“Consolidating the Department’s data and analytics capabilities has the potential to generate substantial savings while further bolstering compliance and security across sensitive national healthcare data – both key themes for the Australian Government’s long-term digital strategy,” Brian Senior, Director, Public Sector, Google Cloud, Australia & New Zealand, said.

“We’re delighted the Department of Health & Aged Care has selected Google Cloud to help govern and secure citizens’ personal data against increasingly sophisticated threats, while also creating a more conducive environment for digital innovation and skills development within Australia’s public sector.”

Google Cloud’s deep well of resources no doubt contributed to its selection with countless products available, including AI and machine learning capabilities, developer tools and business intelligence.

One inbuilt product highlighted by Google Cloud is BigQuery, a serverless and cost-effective enterprise data warehouse that works across clouds and scales data. It will be a core part of the new Enterprise Data and Analytics platform. 

In addition to strengthening the Department’s data management capabilities and cyber security, Google Cloud will train up to 70 staff members to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to operate the new analytics platform.

“The skills required for open source environments like Google Cloud’s are both more widely available and transferrable, expanding the career progression opportunities for public servants and improving government agencies’ ability to attract top talent,” Mr Senior added.

With Google Cloud operating as “one key pillar” of the Department’s multicloud strategy, no information has been released regarding the involvement of other vendors or how this specifically fits within their overall data strategy.