AARNet & CrowdStrike boost cybersecurity for research sector

CrowdStrike and Australia's Academic and Research Network (AARNet) have announced an expanded partnership to offer managed detection and response services to the Australian research and education sector.

The new service, powered by CrowdStrike's Falcon Complete Next-Gen Managed Detection and Response (MDR) platform, will be made available to AARNet customers as either a standalone service or as an addition to their existing AARNet Security Operations Center (SOC) managed services.

This arrangement aims to provide 24/7 protection for educational and research institutions against cyber threats, utilising CrowdStrike's AI-native technology in combination with AARNet's experience in servicing the sector.

Educational institutions, which often hold sensitive and valuable proprietary data, have become frequent targets for cyber threats. The collaboration seeks to address the challenges faced by many of these organisations, particularly in light of underresourced internal cybersecurity programmes and a growing cybersecurity skills gap.

According to the details of the partnership, institutions will have access to advanced managed detection and response services designed to identify and mitigate cyber threats quickly and comprehensively. Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR leverages CrowdStrike's Falcon platform and the company's cyber expertise, while AARNet contributes its familiarity with the research and education environment in Australia.

Charles Sterner, Chief Information Security Officer at AARNet, commented on the partnership, stating: "Expanding our partnership with CrowdStrike, cybersecurity's industry leader, simply makes sense given Australia's research and education sector is constantly targeted by sophisticated cyber threat actors. Our customers need to be able to protect their vital assets with best-in-class cybersecurity capabilities and expertise. We're excited to work with CrowdStrike to provide an MDR solution that ensures customers can comprehensively manage, detect and respond to threats."

CrowdStrike explained that the Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR is provided via its AI-native Falcon platform, which the company says is designed to stay ahead of advanced threats by leveraging real-time indicators of attack, threat intelligence, and information on evolving adversary tactics. Institutions using the service will have access to sector-specific capabilities aimed at minimising vulnerabilities across endpoints, cloud workloads, identity, and data.

Jon Fox, Vice President, Channels and Alliances for CrowdStrike Asia Pacific and Japan, said: "Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR sets the standard for MDR while accelerating SOC transformation initiatives in collaboration with innovative services partners like AARNet. Together, we're a true force multiplier for Australia's education and research cybersecurity teams, delivering the advanced technology, expertise, and sector-specific experience they need to combat modern threats. We're excited to expand our partnership with AARNet, securing the mission-critical institutions powering Australia's next generation of innovation and growth."

The partnership is intended to bolster the cybersecurity posture of the nation's universities, research organisations, and affiliated institutions by offering managed services that take into account the nuances and needs of these specific environments.

AARNet, owned by Australian universities and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), provides network infrastructure, cyber security, and collaboration services to research and education organisations across the country. With a more than 30-year history, AARNet connects these institutions both nationally and to global research and education networks, facilitating science and collaboration on an international scale.

This renewed partnership with CrowdStrike is part of a broader trend of institutions in the sector seeking external support to help address increasing cyber risk, particularly as cybercriminal activity landscapes grow more complex and the shortage of cybersecurity professionals continues.