Each day, more than 400 million terabytes of data is generated around the world.
That’s about 400 billion gigabytes.
This is in the form of everything from social media posts to news articles to posts on the dark web.
There has never been a more important time to be able to quickly and effectively parse through this near-limitless amount of data to detect potential risks and threats.
South Australia-based software startup Fivecast is utilising artificial intelligence for sovereign intelligence capability, in the form of advanced AI-powered open source intelligence solutions.
Its flagship offering, ONYX, is an AI-driven, open source intelligence platform that allows for the automated collection and risk analysis of the millions of terabytes of data produced each day, along with actionable intelligence insights.
ONYX uses advanced AI, machine learning and behavioural analytics to help its clients detect risks such as terrorism, financial crime, human trafficking and insider threats.
Through its use of AI and machine learning, Fivecast can identify patterns, anomalies and threats in real-time to help with decision-making and averting crises.
ONYX automatically sifts through publicly available information across a range of sources, such as forums, social media and the dark web, and reveals insights that may have otherwise remained hidden.
The company also offers MATRIX, which was purpose-built for large-scale screening and vetting processes, and LUNEX, a library of datasets that map online networks of global threat groups.
Fivecast is a finalist in the InnovationAus 2025 Awards for Excellence in the AI Technology category. The InnovationAus 2025 Awards for Excellence winners and finalists will be celebrated at a black tie gala dinner at Sydney Town Hall on Thursday, November 27. You can book your tickets here.
The AI Technology Award is proudly sponsored by the National Artificial Intelligence Centre. The award celebrates companies developing novel tools, technology or methodologies that are helping Australia build sovereign capability in AI. It is focused on AI that isn’t just for the sake of AI, but that impacts, inspires and makes people’s lives better.
Fivecast was born out of a collaboration between Australian government agencies and research institutions, including the University of Adelaide aiming to create a sovereign capability harnessing AI to solve intelligence challenges in defence and civilian sectors.
“Our team recognised the opportunity to fuse AI with open source data to deliver actionable insights in a way that was ethical, scalable and globally deployable,” Fivecast co-founder Duane Rivett said.
Fivecast is currently exporting its technology to the US, UK, Canada, Singapore, Spain and Thailand.
Each customer in these locations receives a segregated cloud instance hosted on AWS, ensuring it delivers data sovereignty and security.
It is being used to boost national security and civilian missions, such as the prevention of financial crime and insider threat detection.
Fivecast has been awarded a South Australian Defence Innovation Partnership grant, and is delivering a Defence Trailblazer Project tracking how influence spreads within online social networks.
Open source intelligence (OSINT) is a rapidly expanding area of crucial importance around the world.
The US Department of Defense in its OSINT Strategy 2024-2028 said that it aims to “elevate OSINT as a core intelligence discipline that provides high-value unclassified reporting, while simultaneously serving as a catalyst for enriched all source analysis and a valuable cueing mechanism for the other intelligence arts”.
Being nominated for the award is a “powerful recognition of Fivecast’s mission to build a safer world through responsible innovation”, Mr Rivett said.
“It validates the hard work of our team, the strength of our technology and the impact we’re making across defence, law enforcement and commercial sectors,” he said.
“It’s also a celebration of Australian ingenuity, showcasing how sovereign software and AI can compete on the global stage while staying true to ethical principles.
“For us, this nomination is not just an honour, it’s a milestone in our journey to deliver intelligence that protects communities and promotes peace and security.”
The 2025 InnovationAus Awards for Excellence will be held on November 27 at the magnificent Sydney Town Hall. You can secure individual seats or book a table here. Purchase a table of 10 and have your logo displayed on screens across the venue and in the event programme as a ‘Table Sponsor’.
The InnovationAus 2025 Awards for Excellence are proudly supported by ACS, PEXA Group, the CSIRO ON Program, Griffith Hack, TechnologyOne, Q-CTRL, National AI Centre, University of New South Wales, KPMG, AgriFutures Australia, Investment NSW and IP Australia.
Protecting your great ideas with intellectual property (IP) rights can lead to lasting benefits for your growing business. IP refers to creations of the mind, such as a brand, logo, invention, design or artistic work. Head to the IP Australia website to find out more about IP, and how it might help your business.
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