IBM announced in early April 2025 that it had commenced the process for Planning Analytics to gain IRAP certification on AWS. What does this mean, when will IRAP certified TM1 be available, will clients need to switch from existing cloud to IRAP PA cloud and can you transfer on prem TM1 to IRAP certified Planning Analytics on AWS? All these questions and more will be addressed in this post. Then, as we learn more, we will come back and update this post.
What is IRAP Certified Planning Analytics?
IRAP (Infosec Registered Assessors Program) is a cybersecurity initiative by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) that provides a framework for assessing and enhancing the security posture of government and critical infrastructure entities, ensuring compliance with Australian government security standards.
IRAP certified Planning Analytics means that organisations that need to comply with IRAP requirements can deploy into that environment and be confident that the entire stack – from bare metal, through the operating system, any middleware and Planning Analytics itself – complies with the requirements outlined by the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
Because an entire stack needs to be certified, IBM are initially having their Planning Analytics on AWS assessed first. We’d expect that at some stage, PA on Azure will also follow, but for now it is just PA on AWS.
Other than having the IRAP tick, it is then the same Planning Analytics on AWS as has been available for some time.
What does IRAP Mean for Planning Analytics Clients?
IRAP certified Planning Analytics means that clients can be confident that all layers of the Planning Analytics environment are highly secure and compliant with the requirements for IRAP certification. The IRAP assessment provides assurance to government and critical infrastructure clients that the Planning Analytics they are using has undergone rigorous assessment and has effective security controls and practices in place for processing, storage and transmission of data up to Protected level.
When will Planning Analytics be IRAP Certified?
From what we understand, IBM will be issuing a formal document in June 2025 that is the initiation of the IRAP process. From there, the rigorous assessment will start, with the expectation of completion in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Will Clients Need to Switch to IRAP Certified Planning Analytics?
The initial platform for IRAP certification for Planning Analytics will be on AWS. Therefore, if you have Planning Analytics on AWS, then it is unlikely you will need to switch. That being said, it is also unlikely that there are any clients of PA currently using AWS who would require IRAP certification. Therefore, future users of Planning Analytics who require IRAP, probably only have it as an on-premise solution at the moment. Therefore, there will be a migration exercise to the IRAP certified Planning Analytics.
Can I Migrate from On Premise TM1 to IRAP Planning Analytics on AWS?
Of course! If you currently operate TM1 or Planning Analytics and need an IRAP certified cloud solution, then you will be able to migrate to IRAP Certified Planning Analytics on AWS. It will be the exactly the same process as any other migration to cloud. The critical step that needs to be undertaken is the internal assessment of the connections of your on-premise data to PA on AWS. You should undertake that assessment well before you start any migration exercise so that you are good to go with the technology.
Licensing of IRAP Certified Planning Analytics on AWS
Planning Analytics on IRAP Certified AWS should be licensed the same as existing PA on AWS. For most clients this means a “bridge to cloud” option should be available, that gives dual entitlements for 12 months. IF this is available, it will mean that you can operate both on-premise TM1 and PA on AWS simultaneously for that period while you migrate.
Need Help with the Licensing or Migration to IRAP Certified Planning Analytics?
If you need any help, whether that is a simple question about licensing, or the steps to migrate, or you’d like assistance with the entire lift and shift, please get in touch. We have moved many clients to the cloud and have the experience you need to make the migration painless!
