Defence to Expand Microsoft 365 Capabilities with New Tools and Enhanced Cloud Integration

The Department of Defence plans to expand its Microsoft 365 ecosystem, known as Vera, over the next three years, with ambitions to integrate advanced tools like Microsoft Copilot for its workforce of 125,000. This initiative builds on Vera’s foundational role as a collaboration and file-sharing platform since its initial rollout during the pandemic.

Central to this expansion is Defence’s goal to transition to a cloud-based suite for productivity, unified communications, and collaboration. This shift aligns with the recently unveiled Defence Digital Strategy and Roadmap, a three-year plan introduced in August, which prioritizes productivity through digital tools and infrastructure.

Vera currently supports Microsoft Teams and enables collaboration both within and outside the Defence Protected Environment. However, many other Microsoft tools still rely on on-premises infrastructure, which presents challenges for Defence’s modernization goals, according to Chief Information Officer Chris Crozier. With prior experience at Orica and BHP, where cloud-based tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot were adopted early, Crozier expressed eagerness to bring similar capabilities to Defence.

“My previous employer was one of the first global adopters of Copilot and the first outside the US, so I was keen to introduce it here,” Crozier explained. “But it quickly became clear that we were still reliant on on-premises systems for everything other than Teams.”

The new digital strategy aims to enable full cloud adoption, enhancing collaboration and productivity for all Defence personnel. To optimize M365 performance, Crozier highlighted planned architectural changes to reduce the network hops required for Teams calls from 17 to just three, enhancing call quality and overall platform performance. Video and voice traffic will no longer require “break-and-inspect” procedures, which currently impact Teams efficiency.

These updates will be implemented with robust cybersecurity measures, leveraging the tools provided by Microsoft 365 in a cloud environment. Crozier is confident these changes will create a more dynamic, secure, and efficient workspace for Defence employees, positioning the department to fully benefit from a modern, cloud-based M365 environment.