David Fasken, Director, APAC Government Solutions, details how Ciena can help Australia’s federal agencies build secure, resilient, and AI-ready networks that protect critical infrastructure.

In an era where data is both an enabler of national prosperity and a target of disruption, it is increasingly critical for governments to ensure the security of critical infrastructure to create networks that can withstand global and regional uncertainty. From mission-critical operations to essential public services, secure and resilient connectivity is no longer optional—it is foundational.

Ciena is a global leader in secure, high-performance networking for governments in Australia and around the world, underpinning the terrestrial and subsea networks that support national security, economic strength, and sovereign capability. We bring global expertise, proven innovation, and local commitment to help government agencies build networks that are secure, future-ready, and designed to serve the national interest.

A strategic provider for critical infrastructure

To ensure continuity in the face of geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, and the weaponisation of infrastructure such as undersea cables, government departments are increasingly focussed on strengthening the resilience of Australia’s national communications backbone - and Ciena is uniquely positioned to help meet this need. As one of the world’s leading networking providers, we deliver secure, high-performance, and interoperable solutions across terrestrial, subsea, and data centre environments. Our experts understand mission-critical government requirements, with deep experience in securing sensitive data flows, supporting sovereign control, and ensuring operational continuity.

By working with Ciena, government agencies gain not just world-leading technology but assurance that networks are protected from malicious interference, designed for redundancy, and ready to support both today’s operations and tomorrow’s innovations. I’ll explain how below.

Networks as a foundation for AI

First, use of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly growing, and looks likely to increase exponentially in coming years. AI is only possible when data can move over a high-scale, low latency, resilient, and secure network within, around, and between data centres.

Ciena equips governments with the networks required to unlock the potential of AI. Our high-capacity, intelligent infrastructure supports the protection of data sovereignty, the resilience of network operations, ensuring mission and citizen-critical services continue without interruption.

From enabling the ability to process and act on data at the “speed of relevance”, to the safeguarding of critical national systems, Ciena’s solutions provide the trusted digital foundation for Australia’s AI ambitions.

Securing Australia’s place in the Pacific

Undersea cables carry more than 99% of intercontinental data traffic.   For Australia, they are vital arteries linking our economy and security to global partners. Yet these cables are increasingly subject to the threat of accidental damage due to marine operations – by far, the major cause of undersea cable faults – sabotage, interference, and strategic competition.

Ciena helps governments and operators protect this critical connectivity through resilient, intelligent subsea networks that enhance monitoring, detection, and rapid response to risks. Our fibre sensing innovations will strengthen resilience against physical threats to subsea cables such as anchor dragging and fishing nets, and our extensive presence in subsea networks worldwide makes us a natural provider in safeguarding the Indo-Pacific’s digital lifelines.

Trusted technology, secure vendor

Globally, Ciena is a proven supplier of choice for secure critical infrastructure for federal government. Governments rely on us for:

  • Security-first design: Built-in safeguards, supply chain diversity, and accreditation to meet stringent national requirements.
  • Resilient performance: Networks that can sustain operations even in contested environments.
  • Future-ready innovation: Support for AI training and inference, quantum safe communications, and automation to meet emerging mission needs.
  • Global expertise, local relevance: Decades of experience in supporting mission-critical government networks worldwide, adapted to Australia’s unique strategic context.

Building confidence for the future

Australia’s strategic environment is becoming more contested, complex, and uncertain. Against this backdrop, government agencies require more than just technology vendors—they need trusted providers who understand mission outcomes and can deliver secure, resilient, and sovereign-ready networks.

Ciena brings that trust. From strengthening critical communications and securing subsea cables to enabling AI-driven government services, we provide the secure digital foundation Australia needs to protect its national interests and thrive in the decades ahead.