Baidam Solutions
IT & ICT services
Digital
Baidam and Google partner to build career pathways
Baidam Solutions, an award-winning cybersecurity and information consultancy based in Brisbane, Australia, has forged a strategic partnership with Google.
In the Kala Lagaw Ya language of the Torres Strait, Baidam means shark, a fitting name for an Indigenous-owned business that hunts down cyber threats.
Co-Founders Jack Reis and Phillip (Pip) Jenkinson had a vision for a profit-with-purpose cybersecurity business.
They created the ‘Baidam Initiative’ to help bridge the gap and provide a solution to shortages in tech skills and STEM professionals.
Since its inception in 2018, Baidam has made social impact a core part of its operating DNA and has given back over 50% of profits to regional and remote communities. This has created pathways to employment in the information technology sector for Indigenous people and provided funding for cybersecurity certification training.
Through the Baidam Initiative program, the business partners with some of Australia’s largest organisations to offer secure employment options.
Baidam also provides a procurement vehicle to help organisations achieve Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) outcomes and address the information technology security skills shortage.
It is Baidam’s focus on achieving real social impact through profit that caught the attention of Google.
Google has been a Supply Nation member since 2020 and an active supporter of Connect, Australia’s largest trade event for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
The outcome
As part of the Google partnership, Baidam will share its business blueprint and philanthropic initiatives through local and international security conferences. They will deliver these alongside Google and promote pathways to careers in cybersecurity for people from underrepresented communities.
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.
Baidam’s achievements since 2018 have been significant including over $2.5 million invested in economic and social value to Indigenous peoples, businesses and communities. Importantly, while a valued Supply Nation Certified Supplier, Baidam is procuring products and services and directly trading with other Indigenous businesses helping to secure their business growth.
In 2020, Baidam offered its first in-perpetuity scholarship for Indigenous STEM students. To date, three scholarships have been awarded.
In 2023, Baidam established Australia’s first Indigenous operated Security Operations Centre (SOC).
Using an Indigenous co-design methodology, Baidam has created a modern-day SOC where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and diverse individuals can grow and thrive. The goal is to provide training and experience that offers pathways for Australia’s future Indigenous peoples to become cyber leaders.
“Supply Nation has been instrumental to our success as a business, and we are now working with almost 80 Supply Nation members and verified suppliers. That’s a strong indication that it is a network and model that works,” said Beau Hodge, Chief Operations Officer, Baidam.
“Where we can, we will procure from Indigenous-owned businesses and make every effort to create value and impact beyond just the business side of things.”
Patty Gilchrist, from Google APAC Partnerships has stated that they were inspired by the work of Baidam and the partnership will further build on their already impactful work in promoting clear pathways into cybersecurity for people from all backgrounds.
The Australian Government’s Australian Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2030 released in November 2023 highlighted that the industry suffers from ongoing shortages in the cyber security workforce, with a lack of representation of women and other diverse groups. Employers are also facing a shortage of cyber professionals and a mismatch between job requirements and employee skills.
Baidam and Google are making a strong contribution to alleviating these problems and closing the gap.
