Meeting Government Security Standards with AC3’s New IRAP-Assessed Cloud and SOC Solutions

For Australian organisations, especially those working with or alongside government, expectations around cyber security have never been higher. It’s no longer enough to have controls in place - organisations must be able to prove that their defences meet the highest standards and can be trusted to protect sensitive data.

This is where the Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP) plays a key role. Governed by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), IRAP provides formal mechanism to evaluate whether an organisation’s systems and services align with the requirements of the Australian Government’s Information Security Manual (ISM).

An IRAP assessment is not a certification, nor is it a “set and forget” exercise. It’s a rigorous, ongoing process that demands transparency, accountability, and continuous alignment with the standards trusted by the Australian Government. For agencies and enterprises alike, working with IRAP-assessed providers means gaining confidence that their partners are upholding those same expectations, not just at the time of assessment, but every day thereafter.

For government departments and regulated industries, data sovereignty and compliance are no longer optional. Many procurement frameworks now require that service providers handling sensitive or PROTECTED-level information be IRAP-assessed. This requirement ensures that the systems supporting government workloads are subject to the same standards and oversight as those used within government itself.

Beyond compliance, however, IRAP is about assurance. It helps organisations reduce risk by ensuring that the people, processes, and technologies securing their operations have been independently validated. In practical terms, this means confidence that the right controls are in place, responsibilities are clearly defined, and data is managed securely.

AC3’s Managed Cloud and Security Operations Centre (SOC) have both been independently IRAP-assessed to PROTECTED level. For AC3, this reflects a deeper commitment to operational sovereignty and trusted service delivery.

“It’s another milestone for AC3 and its customers,” said Simon Xistouris, CEO of AC3. “Our vision is to be the go-to tech services provider for mission-critical environments in Australia and New Zealand, and this movement towards PROTECTED level compliance has been another step towards realising that vision”.

These assessments affirm that AC3’s systems, processes, and controls meet the stringent requirements of the ISM. For customers, it provides a tangible layer of assurance that their workloads are being managed in line with Australia’s most demanding cyber security standards.

Leaders need to know their organisation is prepared. Not hypothetically, not aspirationally, but demonstrably.

That means being able to stand behind your operations when they’re tested. To show where data is stored, how systems are governed, the actions taken, and to know that those decisions and controls meet a recognised national benchmark.

Trust is built on evidence. Confidence comes from discipline. And resilience depends on services that hold firm when it matters most.

The question is no longer whether to raise the bar. It’s how high, how soon, and who you can trust to help you get there.

Learn how AC3’s IRAP-assessed services can help your organisation meet the highest standards for trust, compliance, and operational sovereignty.