New partnership to deliver zero-trust security for defence logistics
ORCA Opti, DNH Logistics and Aurora Materials have announced a partnership to offer a 360-degree, zero-trust security solution for logistics operations in the defence and pharmaceutical sectors.
Partnership details
Under the agreement, ORCA Opti will implement automation for the storage of cyber information and secured records covering the transportation and handling of regulated items, including TGA scheduled drugs and national security goods, for DNH Logistics. The system enables authorised personnel to monitor logistics operations both for individual trips and more broadly, while guaranteeing the security of all digitised information.
Aurora Materials will enhance shipment security through its next-generation fluorescent tagging technologies, providing authentication and tracking for high-value and mission-critical assets. These technologies are intended to improve security and tracing throughout the logistics process.
Compliance and monitoring
The partnership surpasses standard tracking systems by monitoring consignments against compliance metrics and providing time-stamped, defence-grade data protection at every stage. All interactions and system components are designed to align with the Protected Security Policy Framework (PSPF), Defence Security Principles Framework (DSPF), and Information Security Manual (ISM) controls.
DNH Logistics, a veteran-led Australian company, specialises in logistics services including the receipt of pharmaceuticals up to Schedule 8 from manufacturers, secure transport, temperature-controlled storage, and precise controls for handling regulated drugs. The company's expansion into security-led defence logistics requires it to meet the Australian Signals Directorate's Essential Eight and Defence Industry Security Programme (DISP) compliance requirements.
Technological integration
Through the partnership, DNH Logistics will receive support for technical and data security outcomes, as well as assistance meeting various policy requirements. The collaboration aims to create a model for achieving DISP control compliance and to deliver improved monitoring of supply chains, including the use of Internet of Things sensors for temperature management and streamlined oversight of aggregated data. These tools will facilitate secure radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracing, supported by Aurora Materials' fluorescent tagging solution.
The integrated system supports end-to-end operations, enabling DNH Logistics to adapt its approach from controlled medical substances to defence-related logistics.
Industry perspectives
"Achieving DISP is a significant milestone for any small enterprise. Doing the heavy lifting on your own, especially navigating the requirements to meet the Essential Eight at Maturity Level 2, can be overwhelming. Partnering with ORCA Opti has made this journey easier while Aurora Materials has helped us with a more robust security offering," said Justin Roderick, Director, DNH Logistics.
Roderick added: "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with ORCA Opti to harness AI in a secure environment, automating compliance wherever possible. This allows our team to stay focused on operational outcomes, with the assurance that our compliance obligations are being met and managed effectively."
Kathryn Giudes, Founder and Managing Director, ORCA Opti, commented on DNH Logistics' new phase of growth:
"This partnership will ensure that DNH Logistics meet regulatory requirements and compliance using AI to protect and validate medical, pharmaceutical and customer data in a logistics context," she said.
She continued: "Embedding compliance and safety controls will also assist potential customers in achieving compliance faster, enabling DNH Logistics to distribute products more efficiently. Adding in Aurora's fluorescent tagging material and tracking creates a seamless solution that effortlessly spans physical and digital security."
Giudes stated: "In the work we are setting a new model for how compliance and security are managed in complex logistics chains across pharma, defence and other regulated sectors."
Dr Jason Holland, Co-Founder and CEO of Aurora Materials, said his company is eager to work with DNH Logistics and ORCA Opti as the security-focused logistics model develops:
"Our collaboration focuses on integrating Aurora's non-replicable tagging technology into DNH Logistics' secure warehousing, transport and logistics systems," he said.
He elaborated: "By embedding our unique optical tagging capability, we enable DNH Logistics to verify authenticity, chain of custody, and provide tamper-evident assurance across every stage of its operations.
"Through this network of like-minded security partners, we aim to solve the critical challenges of secure logistics even in complex and contested environments. Overall, this partnership represents a major step forward towards creating the next generation of supply chain verification and asset assurance. Together, we're helping DNH Logistics establish a sovereign, verifiable standard for supply chain integrity, where mission-critical supplies can be trusted."
