Service provider ADITS strengthens consulting business with Pax8, readying Queensland SMBs for Privacy Act amendments
Problem
Data privacy forgotten in rush to address data protection concerns
Recently, Adits kicked off a whitespace growth initiative, identifying a gap in how small and medium businesses (SMB) are served to protect themselves against accumulating cyber security threats, and more specifically, maintain digital privacy.
ADITS consulted born-in-the-cloud marketplace, Pax8, to develop CyberShield, a robust cyber security solution and Privacy Act assessment.
According to Adam Cliffe, Managing Director for Southeast Queensland at ADITS, privacy is an element of cyber security that is often forgotten, and ADITS is determined to bring a new level of maturity to this space for SMBs.
“As the forgotten side of cyber security, privacy refers to your personal information and how you allow it to be accessed and viewed, while security is the protection of this data. In this landscape, a lot of SMBs see the Essential Eight framework as the be all and end all – although this is a sure security framework, it’s not what the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) hold obligated business to under the Privacy Act.”
Adam Cliffe, Managing Director for Southeast Queensland, Adits
Currently, Australia’s privacy regime is primarily governed by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), but upcoming amendments to the legislation will bring Australia closer to the ‘gold standard’ of data protection and privacy laws observed in the European Union under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Through a sweep of changes, the Government’s response to the Privacy Act Review suggests they will address issues for the digital age, including improving protections around information security, cyber safety, and data destruction.
“Although it is yet to be seen how changes to Australia’s Privacy Act will navigate flow-on cost burdens to small businesses, industry experts expect amendments will slash the $3 million annual turnover exemption. All in all, there’s a large portion of Australian businesses up for a whole new set of regulatory requirements – and we’re determined to inform them on what to do next.”
Adam Cliffe, Managing Director for Southeast Queensland, Adits
Solution
Pax8 Marketplace leveraged to fortify cyber security and privacy offering while Pax8 Academy provides ongoing expertise to solidify cyber skills
According to ADITS, Pax8’s shared understanding for the lack of resources, technical expertise, and mature infrastructure often hindering SMBs from defending against cyber security threats and responding to compliance requirements influenced its decision to partner with the cloud marketplace.
The MSP turned to Pax8 to acquire the necessary software licensing to bolster its CyberShield product, including the full Microsoft suite, uSecure for security awareness training, Keeper for password management, among other best-in-class IT and security products.
“The ability to quickly access and integrate new security solutions was a big drawcard with Pax8 – its easy-to-use Marketplace ensures we remain competitive and align with both clients’ and governments’ evolving needs and requirements.”
Adam Cliffe, Managing Director for Southeast Queensland, Adits
The Pax8 Marketplace also offered ADITS integrated billing and automation processes, streamlining the onboarding of its clients, and optimising Microsoft licensing and other Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) licensing management, critical to its growth ambitions.
The MSP also tapped Pax8’s Academy team, where instructor-led training sessions supplement ADITS with expansive knowledge and expertise to evolve its cyber capabilities and operate at a higher maturity.
Benefit
Partnership drives service delivery, procurement, sales operations, and cyber capabilities
Through ADITS’ active participation in the events and briefings hosted by Pax8 Academy, it has acquired the tools and skills to inform best practices and produce its CyberShield product, which encompasses a Pax8 Academy-style training service for its SMB clients.
“We’ve designed CyberShield to offer Pax8 Academy-style consulting, which systematically works through our clients’ high, medium, and low-risks identified in the Government’s Australian Privacy Principles (APP) 11.1 assessment. Then, through reasonable steps, we remediate and mitigate any issues found, such as the ability to de-identify and destruct personal identifiable information (PII), as well as implement a policy to govern this.”
Adam Cliffe, Managing Director for Southeast Queensland, Adits
“Pax8 went the extra mile to look after us even when we weren’t a client. So, it was a no brainer to form a partnership with them, particularly when the Marketplace is designed to help us reclaim operational time in a period of business development” said Adam Cliffe.
Since partnering with Pax8, ADITS has gained the skills to mature its business-wide service delivery, procurement, and sales operations. Plus, Pax8 Academy’s dedicated education is proving instrumental in helping ADITS grow its team of expert cyber professionals, led by Cliffe.
“I’m working to grow the cyber team. And any new hires will benefit from Pax8 Academy’s training resources, with their consulting critical in helping us become a focused team, capable of running the CyberShield offering.”
Adam Cliffe, Managing Director for Southeast Queensland, Adits
Results
ADITS CyberShield emerges, ready to meet the demands of privacy concerns for SMBs
ADITS CyberShield emerges, ready to meet the demands of privacy concerns for SMBs
Since Pax8 came aboard, ADITS has been able to focus on its privacy strategy, with Marketplace and Professional Services facilitating reduced administrative overhead, best-in-class solutions procurement, and employee upskilling to meet its growth objectives.
“Because ADITS introduced Pax8, we’ve turned the corner with our consultative business model. And when the Privacy Act reforms come through, we’re prepared and ready for the inevitable increase in demand for our cyber security services.”
Adam Cliffe, Managing Director for Southeast Queensland, Adits
With the Pax8 Academy instructor-led training giving frontline staff the opportunity to learn best practices, connect with others in similar roles, and develop their leadership skills, ADITS has expanded its pool of talent with its current employee base, and made the business more desirable for new hires as part of its growth drive.
The company has not only improved its billing and onboarding processes, but with Microsoft firmly embedded into the Pax8 offering, ADITS has also benefited from a direct escalation route to Microsoft, reducing response times and enhancing its support capabilities.
Ultimately, with Australian SMB businesses increasingly in search of understanding the pending legislative changes to digital privacy, ADITS are now in pole position to ensure these organisations can get ahead of the curve.
About Adits
Established in Bowen, North Queensland in 2006, ADITS has spent almost two-decades forming its prowess in building resilient digital environments for Queensland businesses. Today, it’s a major State-player, serving more than 14,000 organisations across a range of sectors, including medical, not-for-profit, education, and professional services.