Free Workshop: Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) and Cyber Security.

On behalf of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Defence Network, i3net is bringing Anchoram Consulting, Security Industry leaders and experts on Defence Industry Security Program Defence (DISP), to Kiama. They will be explaining what is required and how to start your DISP journey, as well as security advice that will help manage your business security risks. DISP supports Australian businesses to address risks associated with providing services, products or capability to the Australian Defence Organisation.

This comprehensive workshop will cover:

• What DISP is and why companies would want to apply.
• Talk through the DISP application process and differing requirements across the varying levels of membership.
• Provide resources available from the Defence Industry Security Branch (DISB) to assist DISP candidates.
• Personnel security vetting process. Gain advice on the requirements for the AS4811-22 employment screening.
• Physical security, information security and security zones relative to the different levels of DISP.
• Cyber security requirements.
• Cyber policies and how companies can demonstrate the application of these through the development of cyber security strategies and alignment with their own IT environment and development plans.
• Case studies.

The content will be valuable, relevant and interesting. The workshop is being brought to you for free thanks to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Defence Network. Given the calibre of the presenters and the information provided, this is a Defence workshop not to be missed!

Why attend?
Meet colleagues from your region, who like you, are contemplating how to be a part of one of Australia’s largest industry sectors. This is why the Illawarra + Shoalhaven Regional Defence Network wants to assist you in understanding what is required to be a part of this sector. It’s good for your company, the region and NSW. Ultimately it is good for Australia as sovereign industrial capability is developed to support the Australian Defence Force and allies in our region.

What is DISP and why would I be interested?
DISP membership is a pre-requisite for working with Defence and handling sensitive and classified information. Being able to compete directly for Defence contracts or partner with larger prime contractors is the primary benefit of DISP. However, DISP membership also shows that you have met security benchmarks and so demonstrates that you are a trusted partner for other commercial ventures and prospective customers. Your security risk will be better managed, and you will be less likely to suffer the financial and reputational damage of a data loss or security breach of your organisation.

The DISP program requires organisations to demonstrate that their level of security is adequate for commencing a relationship with Defence. The program has several tiers to support entry-level organisations all the way through to those needing access to Top Secret data. It is also important to note that once your entity is part of the Defence supply chain it will become of greater interest to a wider range of threat actors with significant capability. This is why Defence has established DISP, to help organisations defend themselves and defence information as they enter a higher risk industry.

The DISP adopts an integrated whole-of-security approach. This includes the four security pillars of Policy and Governance, Personnel Security, Physical Security, and Information / Cyber Security. The various levels of DISP membership are determined by the classification of information that a provider needs to access. Suppliers that are removed from end-state design and delivery may not need access to classified information and therefore may only need a lower level of DISP membership. Whereas those organisations entrusted with managing operational supporting services or final products may require higher levels of security assurance and thus a higher level of DISP.

But I am already in DISP.
An important part of being in DISP is maintaining the security framework that got you membership in the first place.  The workshop will provide advice on how to maintain this framework. Importantly it will also provide advice on how to maximise your investment in DISP and what other benefits you might accrue through your security efforts including other certifications. Importantly you might be able to share your experience and what you might have done differently.

Back to the workshop
As you might imagine, it takes time and effort to determine what DISP level your company should be at, assess your current security status, and identify and design any missing security controls. Then there is the actual work necessary to implement the risk treatments, such as hardened facilities and IT Systems, personnel security clearances, and policies and procedures that tie everything into an effectively integrated security framework.

This is why the Illawarra + Shoalhaven Regional Defence Network is bringing Anchoram Consulting, Security Industry leaders and experts on DISP, to Kiama to explain what is required and how to start you DISP journey. They will also provide security advice that will help manage your own business security risks.