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If your business works with, or wants to work with, the Australian Department of Defence, DISP accreditation isn’t optional. It’s the baseline. The Defence Industry Security Program sets out clear security expectations for contractors and suppliers, and meeting those expectations can open doors to significant government contracts and long-term procurement opportunities.
But here’s the reality: navigating DISP cyber security requirements is complex. The documentation is dense, the technical benchmarks are specific, and the consequences of getting it wrong go well beyond a failed application.
At AGR Technology, we help businesses across Australia cut through the complexity and build the security posture they need to achieve and maintain DISP membership. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to uplift an existing program, here’s what you need to know.
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What our clients are saying
Justine Brummans
Alessio is both incredibly knowledgeable and personable! He gave me great advice that was catered to me and my situation. Thank you Alessio! Super helpful!
Springfield Equestrian Park
Alessio is amazing! I can not speak highly enough of how helpful and knowledgeable he is, my website he created far exceeded my expectations, he is so accomodating and I can only wish him every success with his business. I rate AGR technology 10 out of 10.
Legacy Energy
We used AGR Technology and dealt with Alessio to design and build our website as well as host our emails. Alessio was a pleasure to deal with and had plenty of ideas that we could implement into our site. He has a great attention to detail, he is also very polite in understanding our goals and what we wanted to achieve with our website.
Thanks mate,
Alex & Rob
Excellent Service
Alessio developed our website for our business and has done a wonderful job. He is very personable and knowledgeable. We have enjoyed working with him. We will be referring others to him and highly recommend him to those who need Tech advice.
MRC Performance
I have been in business for over 10 Years and recently moved to AGR Technology for all our IT needs. They are able to fix nearly anything remotely and always very helpful in recommending appropriate hardware upgrades that do the job as required but not costing more than needed.
Alessio provided an excellent service. He was very dedicated in his method of finding solutions to problems. He continued to try different avenues until he found the reason as to why a particular application was not working. He was very knowledgeable in his understanding of the internet and of applications and how they work, and he was able to apply this knowledge in understanding how to resolve the obstacles that continued to appear. He is understanding towards his client's needs and goals and he is willing to work with his client in achieving those goals. He is a very polite and well mannered person and very calm and gentle in his approach. I would highly recommend Alessio's services to anyone.
Palmira Rigoli
Great work ethics Alessio! We at Totally Gluten Free Products are very happy to have you on board as our IT and SEO master. Very reliable, trustworthy and knowledgeable in the field.
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Nat's Custom Designs
Alessio from AGR Technology has recently helped me create a website for my business.
Throughout the whole process from start to finish Alessio made the process easy for me, by calling me and explaining each step of the way. I'm not very computer savvy, but with Alessio taking the time to explain in detail everything I needed to know from putting inventory in to having it shipped. He even remotely joined my computer to help guide me through everything.
He's very knowledgeable and is experienced in everything I needed and if there was anything else I needed to know that wasn't something he was familiar with, he researched it.
I would HIGHLY recommend Alessio to anyone. He has not only helped me for now but I know that if I ever needed help with anything else he would definitely go above and beyond to help. Thank you so much for everything you have done. It's been a long process but well worth it 🙂
Byron Macumber
AGR Technology is amazing. not only do they stick with you through out the process, they also accommodate to your wants and needs. They are efficient in their work and they have high integrity. Their capabilities are shown through their website design, and appropriate knowledge of utilities regarding software. over the many years of working with them they have been fantastic. I would recommend to everyone
Very helpful
Alessio was thorough, diligent and kept me updated at all time points. I was very impressed with his performance, passion and dedication. I will continue to use his services.
Wantrup & Associates
Alessio of AGR Technology is an IT guy we rely on whenever we need IT help. His professionalism impressed us right at the first time. He solved many of our IT problems in no time. Excellent communication and speedy response.
We highly recommend this company
From a happy customer
Valeria Bianco
I received AGR contact information from a previous client, who had found their service excellent. So I contacted AGR with some expectations, and I can say they exceeded them. Professional, honest, punctual, reliable, their service is faultless. We can't recommend them highly enough.
Very fast, value for money and a comprehensive service
AGR is professional, organised and very skilled at what they do. They take the initiative, looking after all the details that you would not have thought of to enhance your website presence, marketing funnel and automated appointment bookings. Big bonus - pricings are at a fraction of the cost of competitors.
Customer testimonial
Alessio from AGR Technology is wonderful at gently guiding the less technically savvy users to solve problems. Back up service excellent. Highly recommended
SEO for website
The team is very cooperative and delivers clean and very efficient work.
Raimond Volpe
Nothing but good things to say about Alessio. He has been great service and great at communicating with me by both phone and email. Very good knowledge and problem-solving ability with our web development. I would thoroughly recommend Alessio and AGR Technology to anyone wanting online marketing or web development
Website design
Big thank you to Alessio at AGR Technology for a smooth and easy website development process. Nothing was to difficult to accomplish, I can highly recommend his first class service.
What Is DISP and Why Does It Matter?
The Defence Industry Security Program Explained
The Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) is administered by the Australian Department of Defence. It provides a structured framework that enables defence contractors, suppliers, and partners to demonstrate they can protect sensitive defence information, assets, and personnel.
Membership in DISP signals that your organisation has met defined security standards across personnel, physical, cyber, and governance domains. It’s a prerequisite for holding security-cleared personnel, accessing classified information, and participating in a growing number of defence procurement processes.
The program is tiered, entry-level membership addresses fundamental security requirements, while higher tiers align with more complex or sensitive work. As the Australian Government continues to expand its defence capability pipeline (particularly under AUKUS and the 2024 National Defence Strategy), DISP is becoming a more prominent filter in how defence contracts are awarded.
Who Needs DISP Accreditation?
Any business seeking to work as a prime contractor or subcontractor in Australia’s defence sector should be considering DISP. This includes:
- Engineering and construction firms involved in defence infrastructure
- Logistics and supply chain businesses handling defence assets or materials
- Professional services firms providing consultancy, legal, or financial advice to Defence
- Technology companies developing software, hardware, or AI systems for defence use
Even if a contract doesn’t immediately require DISP membership, having it in place puts your business in a stronger competitive position. Many Defence primes now expect their subcontractors to hold or be working toward DISP accreditation as a condition of engagement.
The Four Security Pillars of DISP Compliance
DISP compliance isn’t just about cyber security, though that’s increasingly where the heaviest requirements sit. The program is built across four interconnected security domains:
1. Governance and Security Management
This covers your organisation’s overall security culture, policy framework, and accountability structures. You’ll need a documented security plan, clear roles and responsibilities, and evidence that leadership is actively engaged in security outcomes.
2. Personnel Security
Defence requires confidence that the people accessing sensitive information are properly vetted. This pillar covers baseline personnel security checks, the management of security clearances, and ongoing obligations around insider threat awareness and reporting.
3. Physical Security
If your business handles classified material or operates in spaces where defence work is conducted, physical security controls, access management, secure storage, visitor protocols, need to meet specific standards.
4. Cyber Security
This is typically the most technically demanding pillar for most businesses. It encompasses your IT environment, network security controls, data protection practices, incident response capability, and alignment with frameworks like the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSC) Essential 8.
All four pillars are assessed as part of the DISP application process. Weakness in any one area can delay or derail accreditation. Our team at AGR Technology focuses on building a cohesive security posture across all four domains, not just patching gaps in isolation.
Key Requirements for DISP Membership
Essential 8 and Maturity Level Alignment
The ACSC’s Essential 8 is central to DISP’s cyber security requirements. It outlines eight mitigation strategies that organisations must carry out to protect against the most common cyber threats:
- Application control
- Patch applications
- Configure Microsoft Office macro settings
- User application hardening
- Restrict administrative privileges
- Patch operating systems
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Regular backups
For DISP entry-level membership, organisations are expected to achieve Maturity Level Two across all eight strategies. Higher membership tiers may require Maturity Level Three. These aren’t tick-the-box exercises, each strategy requires documented implementation, technical evidence, and in some cases independent verification.
Many businesses underestimate how far they are from these benchmarks until they conduct a proper gap assessment. That’s one of the first things we do with clients.
ISO/IEC 27001 and Its Role in DISP Readiness
While ISO/IEC 27001 certification isn’t a hard requirement for DISP membership, it’s a strong supporting credential. The standard establishes a systematic approach to managing information security risks and aligns well with DISP’s governance and cyber security expectations.
For organisations that already hold ISO 27001 certification, or are pursuing it, much of the foundational work translates directly into DISP readiness. Policies, risk registers, audit trails, and management review processes all carry weight in a DISP application.
If you’re building toward DISP and haven’t considered ISO 27001, it’s worth the conversation. A dual-track approach can reduce duplication of effort and strengthen your overall security credentials.
Core DISP Cyber Security Accreditation Services
Gap Assessments and Security Audits
Before you can meet DISP requirements, you need to know exactly where you stand. Our gap assessment service maps your current cyber security controls against DISP requirements and the Essential 8 maturity model.
We produce a clear, prioritised remediation roadmap, not a 200-page report that sits on a shelf. You’ll know what needs to be fixed, in what order, and what the effort looks like. This is the foundation of an effective DISP preparation program.
Our audits cover:
- Current Essential 8 maturity level across all eight strategies
- Existing policy and documentation coverage
- Network architecture and access control review
- Incident response and business continuity readiness
- Personnel and physical security alignment
Virtual Chief Security Officer (CSO) Support
Not every business has the budget, or the need, for a full-time Chief Security Officer. But DISP does require demonstrated security leadership and accountability within your organisation.
Our Virtual CSO service gives you access to experienced security professionals who can act as your accountable security authority, attend key meetings, provide strategic guidance, and own the security narrative in your DISP application. It’s a practical, cost-effective way to satisfy leadership requirements without a permanent executive hire.
This service is particularly valuable for SMEs and mid-market businesses that are serious about defence work but are building their internal capability over time.
Supply Chain Risk Management
Defence primes and the Department itself are paying close attention to supply chain security. If your business relies on third-party vendors, cloud platforms, or subcontractors, those relationships introduce risk that needs to be actively managed.
We help you build a supply chain risk management framework that satisfies DISP expectations, including vendor assessments, contractual security obligations, and ongoing monitoring processes. This is an area where a lot of organisations have blind spots, and it’s increasingly scrutinised during DISP assessments.
Reach out to AGR Technology to discuss how we can support your DISP application from start to finish.
Benefits of Achieving DISP Accreditation
The case for DISP goes well beyond ticking a compliance box. Here’s what membership actually delivers:
Access to Defence Contracts
Many defence procurement opportunities are only available to DISP members. Accreditation is often listed as a mandatory or strongly preferred requirement in Request for Tender (RFT) documents. Without it, you’re excluded from a substantial portion of the market.
Eligibility for Security Clearances
DISP membership is a prerequisite for sponsoring employees for Australian Government security clearances. If your work involves classified information or sensitive national security contexts, this is non-negotiable.
Stronger Competitive Position
Even when DISP isn’t explicitly required, holding accreditation signals to primes and government agencies that your business is serious about security. It builds trust, and in the defence sector, trust translates directly into commercial opportunity.
Improved Internal Security Posture
The work required to achieve DISP typically makes your business more secure across the board. Reduced vulnerability to cyber attacks, clearer incident response processes, and better-managed third-party risk are outcomes that benefit your entire operation, not just your defence work.
Alignment with Broader Compliance Requirements
The cyber security controls required for DISP overlap significantly with other frameworks, the ISM (Information Security Manual), ISO 27001, and the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF). Getting DISP-ready often accelerates compliance with these related obligations.
For businesses serious about long-term participation in Australia’s growing defence industry, DISP accreditation is one of the highest-leverage investments you can make.
Conclusion
DISP cyber security accreditation is demanding, but it’s achievable with the right preparation and the right support. The businesses that treat it as a strategic priority rather than a compliance chore are the ones that move through the process faster and come out the other side with a genuinely stronger security posture.
At AGR Technology, we work with businesses at every stage of DISP readiness, from initial gap assessments to ongoing Virtual CSO support and supply chain risk management. We understand what assessors look for, where most applicants fall short, and how to build a program that holds up to scrutiny.
If you’re considering DISP membership or need to uplift an existing program, get in touch with our team for a no-obligation conversation. We’ll give you an honest read on where you stand and a clear path forward.
Frequently Asked Questions About DISP Cyber Security Accreditation
What is DISP cyber security accreditation and who needs it?
DISP (Defence Industry Security Program) cyber security accreditation is a structured compliance framework administered by the Australian Department of Defence. It’s required for any business seeking to work as a prime contractor or subcontractor in Australia’s defence sector, including ICT providers, engineering firms, logistics companies, and technology developers supplying services to Defence.
What are the Essential 8 requirements for DISP membership?
DISP cyber security requirements are anchored to the ACSC’s Essential 8 framework. Entry-level membership requires achieving Maturity Level Two across all eight strategies — including application control, MFA, patch management, and regular backups. Higher membership tiers may require Maturity Level Three, with documented implementation and technical evidence for each strategy.
How long does the DISP accreditation process typically take?
The DISP accreditation timeline varies depending on your organisation’s current security maturity. Businesses starting from a low baseline may take 6–12 months to prepare, while those with existing frameworks like ISO 27001 can move faster. Conducting a gap assessment early is the most effective way to establish a realistic timeline and remediation roadmap.
Does ISO 27001 certification help with DISP accreditation?
While ISO 27001 isn’t a hard DISP requirement, it significantly supports accreditation readiness. Existing policies, risk registers, audit trails, and management review processes from ISO 27001 align closely with DISP’s governance and cyber security expectations, reducing duplication of effort and strengthening your overall security credentials during assessment.
What are the four security pillars assessed during DISP compliance?
DISP compliance is evaluated across four interconnected domains: Governance and Security Management, Personnel Security, Physical Security, and Cyber Security. Weakness in any single pillar can delay or derail accreditation. A cohesive security posture across all four areas — not just cyber — is essential for a successful DISP application.
What are the key business benefits of achieving DISP accreditation?
DISP accreditation unlocks access to defence procurement contracts, enables sponsorship of employees for Australian Government security clearances, and strengthens competitive positioning with defence primes. It also improves your overall cyber security posture and accelerates alignment with related frameworks like the ISM, PSPF, and ISO 27001.
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