How IRAP helps secure sensitive government data

Australian government agencies are facing increasing pressure to manage information assets more effectively, comply with stringent regulations, and embrace innovation to stay ahead of evolving challenges.

Government work is frequently complex, often involving multiple departments, agencies, or external industry partners. It requires various stakeholders with different levels of access to share sensitive information and collaborate on documents simultaneously. Agency personnel are frequently expected to manage high volumes of work within tight deadlines — all while maintaining the security of confidential government data.

Agency priorities

Compliance remains a top priority for the government sector. Initiatives like the National Archives Check-up are driving agencies to maintain robust folder structures and adopt metadata tagging protocols.

However, with limited resources and increasing workloads, public servants must do more with less. As a result, efficiency has become paramount, and agencies are hiring roles like Knowledge Managers to streamline processes. The shift toward cloud-based solutions is another testament to the sector’s commitment to modernising operations to better serve the public.

Governments are also pushing for greater visibility and automation, including the transition from manual data classification to AI-driven processes. The recent policy on AI released by the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) underscores this commitment to innovation.

Managing it all securely

Faced with twin pressures to prioritise both compliance and efficiency, many agencies, as well as organisations handling Australian government data like law firms, are turning to technological solutions. Document management systems (DMS) are a natural fit for this as they can organise not only documents but also emails and chat messages. Having a secure single source of truth makes it much faster for users to find the information they need while making compliance simpler – a win-win.

Not just any DMS will do, however. Any technology provider that hopes to work with government agencies must be IRAP assessed.

How IRAP assessment works

IRAP, or the Infosec Registered Assessors Program, is a framework established by the Australian Cyber Security Centre to assess and certify the security practices of organisations handling sensitive government information. IRAP provides a consistent approach to security assessment with the aim of securing Australian Government and broader industry systems and data.

Undergoing IRAP assessments can lead to operational improvements and enhanced security controls. For instance, technology providers that have embraced IRAP have reported marked improvements in their cybersecurity posture, which in turn boosts client confidence. In an era where clients conduct rigorous audits and expect thorough security measures, a successful IRAP assessment can be a game-changer.

Endorsed IRAP Assessors assist organisations in securing their systems and data by independently assessing their cybersecurity posture, identifying security risks, and suggesting mitigation measures. Completing an IRAP assessment does not comprise a certification or endorsement. However, it does provide a valuable, detailed assessment of the ISM controls, which organisations can then consider against their own cybersecurity requirements.

Our commitment to security

iManage has undertaken two rigorous, independent assessments to maintain a security-first approach and was IRAP Assessed up to the PROTECTED level both times.

Completing this process not only allows us to be scalable across the Australian government sector but serves as a critical tool for organisations to streamline their security evaluations, ensuring that their cybersecurity measures are not only effective but also aligned with government expectations. This is especially vital for organisations in sectors such as law and finance, where the protection of sensitive information is non-negotiable. Rather than undertaking their own assessment of iManage, these sectors can rest assured knowing that we have already undergone a thorough evaluation by an independent party. Our flagship product iManage Work, as well as iManage Insight+, iManage Share, iManage Security Policy Manager, iManage Threat Manager, and iManage Records Manager, have all been assessed to the PROTECTED level.

As the company dedicated to Making Knowledge Work™, we’re here to help Australian government agencies and the organisations they work with achieve their mission goals and serve the public in the most effective way possible.

To learn more about our IRAP assessment and the organisational practices that underpin our security posture, watch our on-demand webinar, IRAP and its role in securing sensitive government data.