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The Bureau of Meteorology’s ROBUST programme has significantly enhanced the technological backbone of Australia’s weather, climate, water, ocean, and space weather services. Over seven years, the programme accomplished a comprehensive transformation of the Bureau’s information and observing technology systems, resulting in a more secure, stable, and resilient platform to support the nation’s critical meteorological services.
As the most ambitious undertaking in the Bureau’s history, the ROBUST programme’s successful completion has set the stage for long-term benefits. The enhancements introduced through the programme will ensure the Bureau’s capacity to deliver reliable and responsive services to the Australian community, government, and industry – around the clock and in real-time. These advancements were achieved through targeted investments that addressed vulnerabilities identified in earlier reviews and have positioned the Bureau to continue its leadership in meteorological and hydrological services.
The programme was initiated to tackle weaknesses in security, stability, and resilience, particularly following a major cybersecurity breach and system outages in 2015 and early 2016. These incidents highlighted the urgent need for modernisation, with reviews uncovering critical gaps in the Bureau’s infrastructure due to insufficient investment in prior years. The ROBUST programme received financial backing through several federal budgets, beginning in 2017-18, and saw an overall expenditure of AU$ 866 million by its conclusion in the 2023-24 fiscal year.
The ROBUST programme has seen a significant upgrade to the Bureau’s cybersecurity infrastructure, with improved cyber and physical security capabilities aimed at protecting the Bureau’s vast data streams and critical technology systems, ensuring that the services provided to Australia remain safe from external threats. This aspect is especially vital in an age where cybersecurity concerns are ever-present and affect the stability of national services.
Moreover, the Bureau’s IT infrastructure has undergone a substantial overhaul. New networks, data centres, and a cutting-edge supercomputer for disaster recovery and backup capabilities have been implemented. These improvements facilitate faster recovery from potential service interruptions, ensuring minimal disruption to critical weather services. This is particularly important for supporting Australia’s emergency response and disaster preparedness, where real-time data and forecasting are essential.
The ROBUST programme also led to considerable upgrades in observing systems. Key improvements include the installation of new and upgraded radars, automated weather balloon launchers, and flood warning equipment, all supported by an upgraded communication network. These technological advancements are crucial for the Bureau’s data collection capabilities, enabling more precise and timely information that enhances weather prediction accuracy. The improvements also extend to space weather and flood forecasting technology, areas that are critical to both national security and public safety.
One of the programme’s most transformative achievements is the standardisation of a national operating environment across the Bureau. This enables employees working from any location in Australia to seamlessly access all the technological tools and systems they need to perform their duties remotely. This is particularly valuable in an increasingly digital and decentralised work environment, where flexibility and access to reliable technology are paramount.
In addition, the Bureau has introduced a new, more secure and resilient website, providing the Australian public and key stakeholders with access to trusted, real-time weather, climate, and water information. The website is designed to handle high traffic volumes, ensuring stability even during peak periods such as natural disasters or extreme weather events when the demand for information spikes.
The Bureau’s CEO noted that the investment in robust technology has not only reinforced the Bureau’s core mission of delivering reliable and responsive services but also positioned it to continue innovating and improving its offerings for years to come.
The ROBUST programme represents a successful collaboration across multiple teams, with contributions from staff, partners, and suppliers. This collective effort has delivered a resilient and future-proof technological platform that will enable the Bureau to meet the evolving needs of Australia’s climate and weather challenges, well into the future.
