Australian Trio Unveils 360-Degree Security for Sensitive Logistics
▼ Summary
– ORCA Opti, DNH Logistics, and Aurora Materials have partnered to create a zero-trust supply chain solution for defence and pharmaceutical logistics.
– ORCA Opti will provide AI-driven automation for secure record storage and compliance monitoring, including meeting DISP and Essential Eight requirements.
– Aurora Materials contributes next-generation fluorescent tagging technology for authentication, tracking, and tamper-evident assurance of high-value assets.
– The partnership enables DNH Logistics to expand from pharmaceutical logistics into defence applications while adhering to strict security frameworks like PSPF and ISM.
– The integrated system offers end-to-end supply chain monitoring with IoT sensors, temperature control, and RFID tracing for enhanced security and compliance.
A new collaboration between three Australian firms is set to transform security for sensitive logistics, introducing a comprehensive zero-trust model tailored for the defence and pharmaceutical industries. ORCA Opti, DNH Logistics, and Aurora Materials have joined forces to create an integrated system that addresses both digital and physical vulnerabilities across the supply chain.
ORCA Opti will supply DNH Logistics with automated cyber information storage, ensuring secure digital records for transporting and handling regulated pharmaceuticals and national security items. This system allows authorised staff to oversee specific trips and broader operations while keeping digitised data protected against unauthorised access.
Aurora Materials contributes its advanced fluorescent tagging technology, which offers exceptional security, authentication, and tracking for high-value and mission-critical shipments. This technology works alongside digital systems to create a unified security layer.
The partnership goes beyond conventional tracking by monitoring consignments against compliance metrics, providing time-stamped evidence and defence-grade data protection at every stage. All processes 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 enterprise, specialises in receiving pharmaceuticals, including Schedule 8 substances, from manufacturers, secure transport, temperature-controlled storage, and strict drug handling protocols. The company recently announced its expansion into security-focused defence logistics at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition.
This expansion requires DNH Logistics to meet specialised security controls, including the ASD’s Essential Eight and Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) requirements. The company also needed expertise in information security and policy compliance, areas outside its primary focus. Through this partnership, DNH gains a framework for satisfying DISP controls while enhancing supply chain monitoring with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for temperature regulation and secure management of RFID product tracing, supported by Aurora’s fluorescent tags.
Justin Roderick, Director of DNH Logistics, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “Achieving DISP is a major accomplishment for a small business. Navigating the Essential Eight at Maturity Level 2 alone is challenging, but partnering with ORCA Opti has simplified the process. Aurora Materials has strengthened our physical security offering. We’re excited to continue using AI within a secure environment, automating compliance so our team can concentrate on operational results.”
Kathryn Giudes, Founder and Managing Director of ORCA Opti, highlighted the strategic importance of the alliance. “This partnership ensures DNH Logistics meets regulatory demands by using AI to protect and validate medical, pharmaceutical, and customer data. Embedding compliance and safety controls helps potential clients achieve compliance more quickly, allowing DNH to distribute products efficiently. Aurora’s tagging technology bridges the gap between physical and digital security, setting a new standard for complex logistics in regulated sectors.”
Dr Jason Holland, Co-Founder and CEO of Aurora Materials, emphasised the value of integrating their proprietary technology. “We are embedding Aurora’s non-replicable optical tagging into DNH’s warehousing, transport, and logistics systems. This enables verification of authenticity, chain of custody, and tamper-evident assurance at every step. Together, we’re solving critical secure logistics challenges and helping DNH establish a sovereign, verifiable standard for supply chain integrity.”
DNH Logistics, which recently rebranded from DNH Medical, brings extensive experience in medical and pharmaceutical storage and distribution. The company now focuses on custody-led assurance and security-led logistics, adopting a zero-trust approach. It was originally founded to support its sister company, Provocatus, which provides healthcare services for veterans and first responders.
ORCA Opti operates as a holistic business system that improves organisational health by automating routines such as guided workflows, incident logging, evidence capture, and risk register updates. Using plain-English prompts, it helps team members perform tasks correctly without forms or manual steps.
DNH Logistics specialises in the secure movement and storage of regulated and high-value goods. With origins in pharmaceuticals, the company now serves defence, government, and advanced manufacturing sectors, ensuring possession visibility, enforced approvals, and ready evidence.
Aurora Materials develops next-generation fluorescent tagging technologies that provide unmatched security, authentication, and traceability. Its SCLE™ nanocomposites produce unique, non-replicable optical signatures, durable in extreme conditions and easily integrated into coatings and components for transparent supply chains in defence, aerospace, and other high-reliability industries.
(Source: ITWire Australia)