When your organisation achieves Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) membership you effectively demonstrate to Defence and other Defence industry partners that your organisation has adopted the appropriate control measures to minimise security risks.

The DISP:

• is a membership-based program for industry that sets minimum security requirements;
• helps secure Defence capability, Defence industry and the supply chain;
• requires its members to comply with Defence’s protective security policies, practices and procedures;
• uses a tiered level of membership tailored to individual business needs;
• includes a system of reviews to ensure continued compliance; and
• enhances Defence’s ability to monitor and mitigate security risks.

DISP sets the standard for security requirements and provides assurance to Defence and other government agencies and departments when procuring goods and services from industry members.

Anchoram provides DISP Support Services including managing your application for membership, planning and conducting activities associated with obtaining DISP membership, as well as ongoing Security Officer advisory services for the membership application and to maintain your membership obligations.

The Australian Government is investing $270 billion over the next decade in Defence capability, building a world class Defence industry.

The DISP offers substantial benefits to Defence and industry in terms of streamlining security services and protecting Defence information and assets, as well as industry’s intellectual property.

In some instances, DISP membership is mandated by the nature of work delivered to Defence or as a result of a Defence business requirement specified in a contract.

DISP membership is strongly encouraged to ensure your organisation meets the minimum security requirements needed to engage with Defence at a later stage, or as a demonstration of sound security practice when handling OFFICIAL information or above.

DISP members (especially large contractors) may use subcontractors to fulfil duties associated with Defence related work. Contractually, large contractors are responsible for ensuring that their subcontractors are aware of their DISP requirements. Depending on the nature of the subcontracted work, this may require the DISP security requirements to extend to subcontractors. Industry entities working on Defence projects via a subcontracting arrangement with other industry entities are still subject to the same eligibility criteria when determining if DISP membership is mandatory.

If you are engaged or planning to engage in Defence classified work via a subcontracting arrangement, you are required to hold DISP membership to the appropriate levels required for that contract or project.

DISP membership is a mandatory requirement in any of the following circumstances:

• when working on classified information or assets
• when storing or transporting weapons or explosive ordnance
• when providing security services for Defence bases or facilities
• if there is a Defence business requirement for DISP membership in the contract.

Anchoram’s DISP Application Support Services include providing advice and assessment of eligibility and suitability including:

• Application management – advice on the totality of the DISP application process
• Project management in the compilation and collation of the DISP application requirements
• Development of any policies, procedures, registers, or processes to support the application
• Security Awareness training – delivery to personnel and contractors
• Assurance – Audits, quality reviews to identify and address security gaps
• Security Officer – Advisory services throughout the development of the DISP application
• Supply chain – Security risks and obligations in the supply chain and contractors.

We also offer ongoing support to DISP members through Anchoram’s Security Officer as a Service (SOaaS) offering. This assists DISP members to meet their ongoing DISP membership obligations and requirements and includes:

• advisory services to maintain membership
• assessment and/or investigation into and reporting for fraud and other security incidents
• annual reporting
• monitoring security trends and issues on your behalf
• maintaining personnel security requirements for security clearance holders.

Anchoram’s personnel are senior national security professionals with considerable experience in Defence, Defence Industry Sector, Government, and Industry, culminating in extensive security risk management and project/program management experience.

Our personnel are specialists in the DISP application process and ongoing membership requirements. We will be there to support and guide you through the DISP membership process, leaving you to focus on what you do best – delivering your products and services.