FirstWave Secures $265K Funding to Boost AI Compliance Across 150,000 Organisations

Strategic Collaboration to Boost AI Compliance

FirstWave Cloud Technology Limited (ASX – FCT) has announced a significant partnership with the University of Sunshine Coast (UniSC) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to develop advanced AI-powered compliance and network intelligence software. The collaboration, backed by a $264,982 funding package under the CSIRO Regional University Industry Collaboration (RUIC) program, marks a pivotal step in FirstWave’s strategic pivot towards predictive, AI-driven compliance management.

The funding is co-contributed by UniSC, the Queensland Government, and FirstWave itself, reflecting a strong multi-stakeholder commitment to advancing Australia’s cybersecurity capabilities. The project will leverage UniSC’s Cyber Security Lab expertise alongside CSIRO’s research capabilities, working closely with FirstWave’s product and engineering teams to develop production-ready machine learning models.

Building on Established Platforms

FirstWave’s existing NMIS and Open-AudIT platforms, which are currently deployed across more than 150,000 organisations in 178 countries, provide a robust foundation for this initiative. The collaboration aims to enhance these platforms with contextual, state-aware AI frameworks that incorporate real-world operational data such as workload behaviour, dynamic routing, and cloud scaling events.

By integrating these advanced AI capabilities, FirstWave intends to empower enterprise and government customers to detect emerging network and security issues earlier, reduce unplanned downtime, and improve the resilience of critical digital infrastructure. This aligns with national priorities around cybersecurity and digital resilience, positioning Australia as a leader in autonomous systems and intelligent infrastructure.

Leadership Perspective and Market Implications

FirstWave’s Managing Director and CEO, Danny Maher, emphasised the strategic importance of the collaboration – "This partnership brings key expertise that we need and accelerates our ability to deliver intelligent, predictive compliance for organisations worldwide. By combining UniSC’s capabilities with our global footprint and the extensive network data collected through our platforms, we are strengthening Australia’s cybersecurity resilience while advancing the AI that underpins our compliance management stack."

The project’s focus on operationalising AI models with live data ensures commercial relevance and scalability, potentially opening new revenue streams as FirstWave monetises its advanced AI capabilities across its extensive user base. However, the announcement leaves timelines and detailed financial impacts to be clarified in future updates.