Since 2006, successive NCRIS Roadmaps have recognised Access and Authentication as crucial national research infrastructure.

One-off seed funding was provided to the Australian Access Federation (AAF) in 2009 to take the first steps towards establishing a trust and identity federation for Australia’s research and education system. Without such a strategy and funding to support it, the efficiency and effectiveness of the research system continues to be diminished and support for research is at risk. The rapid increase in cyber-attacks targeting our Research and Education system means:

• significant national and commercially valuable research data is at risk
• Australia’s research system is open to an increased risk of foreign interference
• potential damage to Australia’s competitiveness and economic prosperity

Sound identity management practices are vital to protecting our critical infrastructure and require a specific set of skills that are scarce in Australia.

• Australian Access Federation (AAF) established 2009
• Received a one-off Commonwealth Government grant
• Providing access, authentication and authorisation identity management
• Became financially self-sufficient
• Self-sustaining
• Recognised as one of the leading federations globally

A system-wide approach to identity and access management is necessary to help support Australian research. This will result in all NCRIS capabilities using a common Trust and Identity Framework for Research, securely connecting researchers, nationally and internationally.

The benefits would be far reaching and include:

• Develop the necessary skills and expertise
• Provide support for research organisation and capabilities
• Enable Australian researchers to leverage global connectivity
• Result in a more connect and integrated research infrastructure system
• Result in a safer and more secure research infrastructure