Ausgrid Reduces Java Licensing Exposure and Security Risks with Platform Migration

SINGAPORE, December 3, 2025 – Ausgrid, Australia’s largest electricity distributor, has significantly reduced its software licensing exposure and strengthened cybersecurity following a migration to Azul Platform Core, according to a recent company announcement. The move enabled Ausgrid to eliminate potential Oracle Java audit risks, reduce licensing liabilities by 80%, and cut Java-related vulnerabilities across its systems by 99%.

Ausgrid supplies electricity to more than 1.8 million homes and businesses across Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter regions. Its 4,000-strong workforce relies on hundreds of applications to support mission-critical operations, some of which are managed by business teams outside the organisation’s central technology function.

Rising Licensing Exposure Prompted a Strategic Review

The company’s review of its Java estate began during a Windows 11 upgrade, when the technology team discovered that several applications used by operational departments still depended on various versions of Oracle Java. The timing proved challenging: Oracle had recently shifted from an instance-based licensing model to one based on total employee headcount — a change that significantly increased licensing exposure for organisations worldwide.

Under the updated model, even limited use of Oracle Java can trigger company-wide fees for every employee, contractor and consultant, regardless of whether they use a corporate device. For Ausgrid, this could have accrued more than A$500,000 annually in potential licensing obligations.

“Oracle’s license subscription model was very aggressive, and I was aware of their ability to move the goalposts again at any time,” said Glen Parker, Senior Partner Solutions Manager at Ausgrid. “This represented a risk we simply weren’t willing to carry forward.”

In parallel, Ausgrid identified Oracle Java as a major contributor to its outstanding cybersecurity vulnerabilities. With heightened focus on infrastructure security across Australia’s utilities sector, the company sought a solution that addressed both compliance and risk mitigation without disrupting operational stability.

Proof-of-Concept Demonstrations Validated Compatibility

Ausgrid turned to one of its technology partners for alternatives and was introduced to Azul Platform Core, an OpenJDK-based distribution positioned as a secure and compatible replacement for Oracle Java. Azul conducted three proof-of-concept deployments across Ausgrid’s application and device environments to validate compatibility.

“The Azul POCs gave us confidence that migrating to an OpenJDK alternative was the right approach,” Parker said. “We saw first-hand that moving off Oracle Java wouldn’t cause disruption, which was an important milestone. In addition, we were able to reduce our large volume of outstanding Java-related vulnerabilities by 99%.”

The full migration was completed within two months, maintaining application stability while eliminating the company’s Oracle audit exposure.

Balancing Cost, Security and Compliance Pressures

Azul Platform Core is developed by Azul, a Sunnyvale-based company that specialises exclusively in the Java platform for enterprise and cloud environments. Azul serves a global customer base that includes 36% of the Fortune 100, major financial institutions, technology providers and consumer brands. Its Java distributions are used across millions of devices and applications worldwide.

According to Dean Vaughan, Vice President for APAC at Azul, Ausgrid’s approach reflects a broader trend of organisations reassessing Java licensing and security risks.

“Ausgrid’s proactive approach shows how critical it is for enterprises to address Java licensing and security risks before they become compliance crises,” Vaughan said. “By moving to Azul Platform Core, Ausgrid eliminated three significant business issues in one initiative: audit anxiety, unplanned license costs and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”

For energy and utilities providers that manage large, distributed application estates, Ausgrid’s experience highlights the financial and security implications tied to software dependencies that may sit unmanaged in operational units. As more critical infrastructure operators modernise technology environments and reassess cyber-risk exposure, licensing transparency and predictable maintenance models have become essential components of IT governance.

Ausgrid’s move to Azul Platform Core reflects a strategic effort to maintain compliance, reduce financial risk and strengthen cybersecurity — practices that are becoming increasingly necessary for organisations operating essential services.