Sydney data centre granted Certified Strategic status

Data centre company DigiCo has announced that its Sydney data centre (SYD1) has received Certified Strategic status under the Australian Government Hosting Certification Framework (HCF). Receiving this certification from the Department of Home Affairs means the facility is now approved to securely host sensitive government data and whole-of-government systems, including those classified as Protected.

The company says that achieving certification of the SYD1 site is a major milestone, in that it is the first time that the private sector and government have worked together to return a critical national infrastructure asset to Australian operation and management.

Since its acquisition of SYD1 in December 2024, DigiCo has made significant investments in the security, technology and operational infrastructure of the site, partnering with Thales Australia on the upgrade program. DigiCo worked closely with Home Affairs during its rigorous review process to demonstrate the facility’s adherence to the highest standards of data privacy, security and operational resilience, as mandated by the Australian Government.

“We are immensely proud to have achieved HCF strategic certification; this significant accomplishment underscores DigiCo’s commitment to national digital sovereignty and reinforces DigiCo’s role and the SYD1 site as a cornerstone of Australia’s critical digital infrastructure,” said Chris Maher, Managing Director and Head of Digital Infrastructure at HMC Capital. “This top-level security certification reaffirms the strategic importance of the facility. The asset is now an even more vital component of Australia’s digital future, contributing to the nation’s economic and national security.”

The company says the facility has advanced capabilities supporting AI, cloud and hyperscale workloads, and is part of DigiCo’s platform of data centres across Australia and the USA. DigiCo’s SYD1 data centre is strategically located less than 1 km from the centre of Sydney’s CBD, and its location places it close to telecommunications exchanges, submarine cable points, and the operations of many of Australia’s leading government and corporate organisations.

Image: DigiCo's Sydney data centre (supplied).