Businesses can self-nominate for new Defence Industry Security Program

Businesses wanting to be Defence-ready can now self-nominate to join the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) without the need for a Defence contract.

In addition, businesses no longer need separate memberships for each Defence contract, and can sponsor their own employees’ security clearances up to NV2.

The new DISP, launched on 9 April, strengthens Defence security practices in partnership with industry, providing better protection of sensitive and classified information and securing industrial intellectual property.

Existing DISP members have 24 months to re-apply for membership under the new DISP. As part of the application Defence will consolidate multiple memberships under a single entity membership.

Businesses are required to hold an appropriate level of DISP membership when:

• working on sensitive or classified information or assets
• storing or transporting Defence weapons or explosive ordnance
• providing security services for Defence bases and facilities
• there is a Defence business requirement

The new DISP offers four levels of industry membership to better align with governance, physical, personnel and cyber security classifications:

• Entry level – Unclassified/DLM
• Level 1 – Protected
• Level 2 – Secret
• Level 3 – Top Secret

The new DISP is a significant reform led by the Defence Security and Vetting Service in partnership with industry and Defence stakeholders.