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RoleBusiness Development

The commercial upside of DISP membership

Implementing and maintaining DISP membership is often costly and resource-intensive. Business development leaders want clarity on both the cost and the revenue it can unlock. We provide that clarity, and help lower implementation costs.

Domain focus/ from this brief

Scan

  • GOV GovernanceNoted
  • PER PersonnelFocus
  • PHY PhysicalBaseline
  • CYB CyberBaseline

Key challenges

  1. Tenders that require DISP

    Government and Prime tenders increasingly mandate DISP membership.

  2. Cost against opportunity

    Membership is costly and resource-intensive, so the commercial case needs to be clear.

  3. Clearance readiness

    In some bids, being able to clear staff quickly can decide the contract.

  4. Timing

    [Draft] Membership takes time to achieve, so it needs to be in place before the bids that require it.

  1. A tender requirement

    Primes and government Defence tenders increasingly mandate DISP. It is not officially confirmed, but many in the industry report that DISP members are preferred even when a tender does not list it. Domestic and export Defence markets are growing, and membership positions you to compete.

  2. Weighing cost against revenue

    Implementation cost depends on your level and how compliant you already are. Entry Level is a fixed-price package. Higher levels are priced after an initial consult, and the gap analysis makes your costs clear. We help you set those costs against the contracts membership can open up.

  3. Clearance readiness wins work

    Level 1 in the personnel and governance domains lets you self-sponsor clearances up to Baseline. That reduces delays, makes project timelines more predictable and strengthens your bids where clearance readiness is a deciding factor.

  4. How we help

    We give you a clear picture of cost and timeline early, with clear objectives and predictable timelines at every step.

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.

  • 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 role

Explore other audiences

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.

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.

  • MSPs & MSSPs

    MSPs and MSSPs supporting Defence suppliers. Choose the right cyber standard, reach the required Essential Eight maturity and plan accreditation.

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.

Business Development

Questions

  1. How much does it cost?

    Entry Level is a fixed-price, all-inclusive package. Higher levels are priced after the initial consult. [Awaiting whether prices or ranges should be published.]

  2. How are consultancy costs calculated?

    All DISP consultancy pricing is specific to your company, because organisational risk factors vary significantly. For Entry Level we have standardised base costs in line with Defence's suggested estimate. For higher levels, we price the work after the initial consult, once we have developed your risk profile.

    Your implementation costs depend on how compliant you already are. You may already meet most requirements, or need significant work in some domains but not all four. The gap analysis shows where you stand, and at that point your costs become clear.

  3. How long does it take?

    [Awaiting typical timeframes per level from the business.] Every project has a predictable timeline agreed up front, with weekly or fortnightly progress meetings.

Business Development

Start your DISP journey

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Which DISP level are you aiming for?

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Book a complimentary initial consult

We will confirm whether DISP suits your business and which level you need, with no obligation.