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A DISP roadmap for Defence contractors

Defence relies on consultants for strategy, engineering, cyber security, project management and logistics. DISP membership lets you take on that work and clear your own people for it.

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Domain focus/ from this brief

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  • GOV GovernanceFocus
  • PER PersonnelFocus
  • PHY PhysicalNoted
  • CYB CyberNoted

Key challenges

  1. Clearing your consultants

    Self-sponsorship of security clearances needs a higher level in the governance and personnel domains.

  2. Keeping costs in proportion

    Most consultants we work with mix DISP levels across the four domains for maximum flexibility and reduced cost.

  3. Working on client sites

    [Draft] Consultants often work inside client environments, so your own policies must cover people working off-site.

  4. Small teams, full obligations

    [Draft] A small firm still needs a Chief Security Officer, a Security Officer and the documentation to support them.

  1. Consultancy in Australia's Defence sector

    The Australian Defence industry draws on a wide range of consultants and contractors:

    • Defence and strategic advisers on military strategy, policy and procurement
    • Engineering consultants in aerospace, naval architecture and systems integration
    • Cyber security firms protecting sensitive information and infrastructure
    • Project managers delivering Defence work on time and on budget
    • Logistics and supply chain consultants for procurement, storage and distribution

  2. A mixed-level approach

    Most consultants we have assisted hold different DISP levels for different domains. Typically that means a higher level for governance and personnel, to allow self-sponsorship of security clearances, and Entry Level for cyber and physical security.

    Individual requirements vary, and this arrangement does not suit everyone. We confirm the right mix in the initial consult.

  3. Why self-sponsorship matters

    With Level 1 in the personnel and governance domains, you can sponsor clearances up to Baseline yourself. That reduces your dependence on external entities to start and manage clearances, and the delays that can come with it.

  4. How we help

    We scope the right level for each domain, write the governance documentation, and prepare your CSO and SO for the clearance responsibilities that come with it.

    Book a consultSee our process

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
View Entry Level

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
View Level 1

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
View Level 2

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
View Level 3

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.

  • CSO and SO training

    DISP obliges members to keep their Chief Security Officer and Security Officer trained. We train both roles and support them as obligations come up.

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.

  • 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.

All industries

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.

All roles

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.

All company sizes
Consultants & Contractors

Questions

All questions
  1. Can we hold different levels in different domains?

    Yes. The level is set for each of the four domains, so you can select the level each one needs. Many of the consultants we work with hold a higher level for governance and personnel, which allows self-sponsorship of security clearances, and Entry Level for cyber and physical security. This keeps costs down, but it does not suit every business. We confirm the right mix in the initial consult.

  2. Which levels let us sponsor our own security clearances?

    Entry Level does not allow self-sponsorship. Level 1 lets you manage personnel clearances in-house and sponsor up to Baseline. Level 2 lets your Security Officer sponsor and manage clearances up to Negative Vetting 1 (NV-1). Many firms seek Level 3 for self-sponsorship up to Negative Vetting 2 (NV-2).

    Your CSO and SO need clearances of their own to sponsor others. At Level 2, for example, the SO must hold at least NV-2.

Consultants & Contractors

Start your DISP journey

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

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