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DISP for managed service providers

Many managed service providers already work to the ASD Essential Eight, NIST or other standards. [Draft] Those choices shape the cyber domain of every DISP client you support.

Domain focus/ from this brief

Scan

  • GOV GovernanceNoted
  • PER PersonnelBaseline
  • PHY PhysicalBaseline
  • CYB CyberFocus

Key challenges

  1. Choosing the cyber standard

    Defence accepts several standards, including ISO 27001/27002, the ASD Essential Eight and NIST. The choice has significant short- and long-term implications.

  2. Essential Eight maturity

    Entry Level requires alignment with the Essential Eight, and Level 1 raises the required maturity level.

  3. Network accreditation

    Level 2 requires accreditation of the IT network. Pathways such as IRAP are often costly.

  4. Decisions that are hard to reverse

    Cyber pathway decisions are often difficult or costly to reverse once made.

  1. Why DISP matters to service providers

    Many managed service providers already work with standards like the ASD Essential Eight or NIST. [Draft] When your clients pursue DISP, the cyber domain depends on the environment you run for them. [Draft] DISP membership of your own can also show Defence clients your security posture.

  2. Cyber requirements by level

    DISP members must implement a minimum standard of cyber security to protect classified data on servers, computers and in the cloud.

    • Entry Level: ICT aligned with the Essential Eight
    • Level 1: additional cyber security policies and a higher Essential Eight maturity level, with secure network infrastructure and regular vulnerability testing
    • Level 2: accreditation of the IT network, with ISO 27001/27002, NIST and other recognised standards accepted
  3. Accreditation pathways for Level 2

    An IRAP assessment is often costly, though internal workflows and commercial opportunities can justify it. A standalone device, or use of the DPN, DSN or DREAMS, is more affordable but not practical for every company.

  4. How we help

    [Draft] We work alongside your technical team to map your environment to the DISP cyber requirements, for your own membership or for a client's. Our cyber implementation consultancy is part of every Entry Level engagement.

Four levels, one for each classification

Understand the membership levels to work out the level your organisation needs.

All levels

Entry Level

EL

Clears to

OFFICIAL: Sensitive

The baseline tier, and the right fit for most of the supply chain.

Entry Level brings your organisation to modern information security standards. Approval clears you for information up to and including OFFICIAL: Sensitive. We deliver it as a fixed-price, all-inclusive package.

Suited to
Most companies in the Defence supply chain, particularly SMEs with some exposure to Defence and government or those newly entering the market.
Pricing
Fixed price, all inclusive

Level 1

L1

Clears to

PROTECTED

Strict security standards, and in-house clearances up to Baseline.

Level 1 expands the Entry Level scope to meet Defence's additional requirements, and clears your organisation for information up to and including PROTECTED. It also lets you sponsor personnel security clearances up to Baseline.

Suited to
Companies that want to self-sponsor security clearances, and companies closely involved in Defence, such as those designing or manufacturing critical combat systems and components.
Pricing
Priced after the initial consult

Level 2

L2

Clears to

SECRET

Store and handle SECRET information and join classified procurement.

Level 2 lets your company store and handle SECRET information and take part in classified procurement. Defence sets high standards across all four domains, including third-party certification of your physical and IT systems and a mandatory site inspection.

Suited to
Organisations deeply embedded in the Defence industry, or working on highly classified projects.
Pricing
Custom package

Level 3

L3

Clears to

TOP SECRET

Access to projects of the highest sensitivity, for seasoned Defence firms.

Level 3 grants access to TOP SECRET information and projects of the highest sensitivity. Defence sets its highest standards across all four domains. Implementation and maintenance are challenging and costly, but the commercial upside is typically significant.

Suited to
Mature organisations with considerable expertise and history in the Defence sector, involved in the most classified technologies, operations and defence works.
Pricing
Custom package

What each level includes

FeatureELEntry LevelOFFICIAL: SensitiveL1Level 1PROTECTEDL2Level 2SECRETL3Level 3TOP SECRET
Overview
Information clearedOFFICIAL: SensitivePROTECTEDSECRETTOP SECRET
Deliverables scoped toEntry LevelLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Commercial
Pricing modelFixed priceAfter consultCustom packageCustom package
Governance
Security Officer selectionIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Chief Security Officer selectionIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Gap analysis across four domainsIncludedAdditional questioningAdditional questioningAdditional questioning
  • Included
  • Partly
  • Not included

See the full comparison25 rows

Relevant services

All services
  • DISP gap analysis

    Every engagement starts with a complete audit of your existing processes across the four DISP domains: governance, personnel, physical and cyber security.

  • DISP documentation development

    We write the policies, processes and plans your organisation needs to meet Defence’s requirements for identifying, assessing and managing security risk.

  • Application lodgement

    Incorrect lodgement costs companies time and contracts, and can lead to a rejected application. We prepare and lodge your application and handle Defence’s questions.

By industry

Explore other audiences

Industries

  • Engineering & Design

    Engineering and design firms building military hardware and Defence technology. Most tenders in the field require DISP membership.

  • Manufacturing & Fabrication

    Manufacturers and fabricators supplying Primes and Defence. Protect drawings, parts and premises, and meet the DISP level your contracts require.

  • Consultants & Contractors

    Advisory, engineering, cyber, project management and logistics consultants. A mixed-level approach can give you clearance flexibility at a lower cost.

  • Aerospace & Space

    Military aviation, R&D and satellite technology firms. Manufacturers in the sector typically need Entry Level at minimum.

  • Shipbuilding & Naval Engineering

    Shipbuilders, naval architects and their suppliers. Meet Prime and Defence requirements across yards, workshops and design offices.

  • Building & Construction

    Construction firms working on Defence projects. Level 1 personnel and governance for self-sponsorship is often a pivotal advantage.

  • Logistics & Supply Chain

    Logistics and supply chain firms supporting Defence. Entry Level is often sufficient, depending on the clearances your staff need.

  • Maintenance & Support Services

    Maintenance, repair and support providers working on Defence equipment and sites. Clear your people and keep your membership current.

Roles

  • Directors & CEOs

    What DISP asks of company leadership: the commercial case, the Chief Security Officer role and the right level for your business.

  • Compliance Officers

    For chief compliance officers: the four DISP pillars, the documentation behind them and systems that keep compliance sustainable.

  • CTOs & IT Managers

    For CTOs and IT managers: the cyber requirements at each DISP level, choosing a standard and planning accreditation without over-investing.

  • Business Development

    For business development leaders: what DISP membership costs, what it opens up, and how clearance readiness can win work.

Company size

  • SMEs

    For SMEs entering or growing in Defence. Entry Level often suits best, delivered as a fixed-price package.

  • Large Enterprises

    For large organisations with multiple sites and teams. Coordinate DISP across functions and build on the frameworks you already run.

  • Multinationals

    For multinationals with Australian operations. Fit DISP alongside global policies, systems and reporting lines.

MSPs & MSSPs

Questions

  1. Do we need ISO 27001 for Level 2 cyber requirements?

    Not necessarily. Defence accepts a number of internationally recognised standards for Level 2. ISO 27001/27002 is one of the most widely applied, but your managed services provider or internal IT team may already work to the ASD Essential Eight, NIST or another standard.

    The standard you choose has significant short- and long-term implications for your application and your organisation, so we advise on it in the initial consult.

  2. Is Defence accreditation of our IT network mandatory?

    For Level 2 cyber, Defence requires accreditation of your IT network. Pathways such as an IRAP assessment are often costly, though your workflows and commercial opportunities may justify them. A standalone device, or use of the Defence Protected Network (DPN), Defence Secret Network (DSN) or DREAMS, is more affordable but not practical for every company.

    These decisions have a significant business impact and are often difficult or costly to reverse, so choose the pathway with advice from someone who knows DISP well.

MSPs & MSSPs

Start your DISP journey

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