A Canberra company will develop technology to help the Australian army fend off cyber attacks and communicate over unsecured networks.
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Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price and ACT Senator Zed Seselja will announce on Saturday Penten had secured two Defence Innovation Hub contracts with a combined value of $2.2 million.
The company will develop technology to enhance the Australian Army's capacity to send communications over unsecured networks.
Funding has also been provided to help it develop a cyber-management capability and enhance security countermeasures. This technology would help the Australian Army monitor network traffic and mitigate attacks on its network.
The company was chosen through the last Army Innovation Day in August 2018, which calls for proposals to help create the next generation army.
Companies have a year from the innovation day to deliver a prototype of the technology for user trial.
"Innovation is critical to build and sustain the Australian Defence Force's capability edge," Ms Price said.
Penten sprang up four years ago and has grown from four to 50 staff.
Contract registers show they have had $2.3 million of defence contracts since 2017 previous contracts.
The defence department paid $1.3 million in December 2017 for Penten's Altocrypt technology, which is a portable USB that provides government users wireless access to sensitive networks.
Senator Seselja said the contracts will ensure members of the Canberra defence industry community continue to be engaged in developing cutting-edge technologies for Australia's defence force.