WhiteHawk Expands into Australia with New Cybersecurity Joint Venture
WhiteHawk Limited has launched its first Australian office in Perth and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Novera to co-develop a cybersecurity and AI governance platform tailored for the Australian market and broader APEC region.
- WhiteHawk opens dedicated APEC sales and delivery office in Perth
- Signs MOU with Novera to create joint venture for cybersecurity platform
- Platform integrates cyber risk, data protection, and AI governance
- Joint venture to manage IP development and commercialization
- Focus on Australian regulatory compliance and scalable APEC deployment
Strategic Expansion into the APEC Region
WhiteHawk Limited (ASX – WHK), a pioneer in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, has taken a significant step to deepen its presence in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region by opening its first Australian office in Perth. This move marks a strategic commitment to localise its offerings and better serve the growing cybersecurity needs of organisations across Australia and neighbouring markets.
The Perth office, operational since November 10, 2025, will serve as a hub for sales, delivery, and ongoing collaboration with regional partners. It positions WhiteHawk to engage more closely with clients and partners such as Novera, DoxAI, and ECCOI, enhancing its ability to deliver tailored cyber risk solutions in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Joint Venture with Novera to Address Cybersecurity and AI Governance
This joint venture aims to integrate WhiteHawk’s automated cyber risk assessment technology with Novera’s deep understanding of local governance frameworks. The resulting platform will empower organisations to continuously assess and improve their cybersecurity posture while ensuring alignment with data protection and AI governance requirements, a critical consideration as AI becomes embedded in enterprise and government operations.
A Forward-Looking Approach to Sovereign Data and AI Ethics
As AI adoption accelerates, the intersection of cybersecurity, data sovereignty, and ethical AI governance has emerged as a pressing national priority. WhiteHawk and Novera’s collaboration directly addresses this by embedding secure AI risk management and transparent data handling into a unified platform. This approach not only supports Australian organisations but also lays the groundwork for scaling the solution across the broader APEC region and potentially other jurisdictions with sovereign data governance needs.
The joint venture will oversee intellectual property development, licensing, and commercialization under a shared governance model, reflecting the contributions of both partners. While the MOU is binding on confidentiality and IP provisions, financial commitments will only arise once the definitive joint venture agreement is finalized.
Leadership Perspectives and Market Implications
Tony Vizza, Managing Partner of Novera, highlighted the inseparability of AI and cybersecurity in today’s environment, emphasizing the critical need for secure and compliant data frameworks. Giuseppe Porcelli, WhiteHawk’s Executive Director and Head of Strategy, underscored the importance of embedding Australian regulatory expectations into a platform that unifies cyber risk, AI governance, and data sovereignty.
This partnership signals WhiteHawk’s ambition to set a new standard for cybersecurity and AI governance solutions tailored for the unique regulatory and operational challenges of the APEC region. It also reflects a broader trend of cybersecurity providers localizing their offerings to meet sovereign data and compliance demands in key markets.
Bottom Line?
WhiteHawk’s Australian launch and joint venture with Novera set the stage for a new era of integrated cybersecurity and AI governance across the APEC region.
Questions in the middle?
- When will the definitive joint venture agreement be finalized and financial terms disclosed?
- How quickly can WhiteHawk and Novera scale the platform beyond Australia into other APEC markets?
- What competitive advantages will this joint venture offer against established cybersecurity providers in the region?
