South Australian defence businesses will gain access to practical cyber security support designed to strengthen their resilience, improve defence readiness and unlock supply chain opportunities through a new industry capability uplift program.
An initiative of Defence SA, delivered by the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (Aus3C), in partnership with De Stefano & Co and CyberSolveIQ, the South Australian Defence Industry Cyber Capability Uplift Program will support up to 30 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) currently supplying or seeking to supply into the defence sector.
Subsidised by the South Australian Government through Defence SA, the pilot program will help participating businesses better understand and improve their cyber maturity, supporting their ability to meet evolving defence requirements including the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP), Essential Eight Maturity Level 2 (E8 ML2), and international frameworks from the United States and United Kingdom.
The program comes at a time of significant growth and opportunity for South Australia’s defence industry, with increasing demand for capable and trusted suppliers across Australia’s defence ecosystem.
Aus3C Chief Executive Officer Guy Roberts said cyber resilience had become a critical requirement for businesses wanting to participate in defence supply chains.
“Cyber security is no longer simply an IT consideration. It is a fundamental requirement for businesses seeking to operate in trusted defence supply chains,” Roberts said.
“This program gives South Australian businesses practical guidance, expert support and a clear pathway to understand their current cyber maturity and strengthen their capability for future opportunities.
“As Australia continues to build sovereign capability and strengthen its role within allied supply chains, businesses that can demonstrate cyber resilience will be better positioned to compete.”
Delivered as part of Defence SA’s commitment to strengthening South Australia’s defence industry capability, the program will provide participants with guidance, tailored assessments, a practical roadmap to improve their cyber maturity, and opportunities to connect with other defence industry stakeholders.
Program participants will undertake a pre-program cyber maturity self-assessment, participate in three interactive workshops, attend three defence industry networking events, access practical guides and resources, and complete a post-program assessment to measure improvements and identify next steps.
Ascent Business Manager Celanie Meyer said the company’s own experience demonstrated the value of investing in cyber maturity.
"Ascent went through its own cyber uplift in 2025 - working towards Essential Eight Maturity Level 2 and CMMC 2.0 Level 2 in parallel, with support from De Stefano & Co,” Meyer said.
“It has already meant we have been successful in contracts, particularly in the US, that we could not have gone for before. I wish a program like this had existed when we started. It a great initiative from Defence SA and Aus3C, and I would encourage every eligible South Australian business to take advantage of the opportunity."
The South Australian Defence Industry Cyber Capability Uplift Program is open to SMEs currently supplying, or seeking to supply, into the defence sector, including businesses seeking to align with DISP requirements or improve their readiness for future defence opportunities.
Applications close on 15 September 2026.