Updated 17 June, 1125
Saab Australia, BAE Systems Australia, industry and government have developed the Cyber Framework for the Defence Industry (CFDI) to measure and increase the cyber resilience of SMEs wanting to work on Defence programs.
The CFDI has been adopted by twelve prime contractors providing a standardised approach to cyber maturity assessment plus a guide to improve SME levels of protection.
Saab Australia Managing Director, Andy Keough, said the new framework will reduce barriers to entry for SMEs into defence supply chains by providing a common cyber assessment tool.
“Currently SMEs face a different and complex security assessment process each time they work with a different defence prime,” Keough said.
“In developing this framework we have reduced red tape, making it easier for SMEs to secure opportunities in the defence sector.
“By the very nature of their size, many SMEs do not have the resources or expertise to upskill in information handling or cyber protection to meet defence requirements. This framework gives them a clear roadmap to gaining the required levels of cyber maturity.”
BAE Systems Australia Chief Information & Digital Officer, Michael Salas said the company wanted more Australian SMEs to provide services and new technologies into defence programs because a more diverse supply chain enables greater levels of innovation.
“The Cyber Framework is a great start for SMEs wanting to self-assess their level of cyber risk,” he said.
“They can undertake a quick assessment of their cyber maturity which then leads to the identification of key areas to invest and improve a company’s defences. This leads to improving the cyber maturity of our defence supply chain and better outcomes for our client.”
“The CFDI tool is an excellent example of industry collaboration by defence primes to assist Australian SMEs improve the security of defence supply chains. It’s easy for SMEs to use and most importantly, it empowers SMEs to manage their security function by demystifying and simplifying the compliance requirements," Audra McCarthy, CEO Defence Teaming Centre, said.
The CFDI was collaboratively developed by Saab Australia and BAE Systems, the Centre for Defence Industry Capability, and the Australian Cyber Security Centre.