Cybersecurity for Australian manufacturers
Essential Eight compliance and DISP readiness tailored for manufacturers entering the defence supply chain. Build security from the ground up, without the enterprise complexity.
The realities of manufacturing cybersecurity
Manufacturers entering the defence supply chain face unique obstacles. You make things, not IT policies — and that's where we start.
You're a manufacturer first
Cybersecurity frameworks and compliance jargon feel foreign to your culture. You focus on production efficiency, not ISO control numbers — and that's okay. We speak your language, not technical theory.
No formal security program yet
Unlike defence contractors, you likely don't have an existing cybersecurity program. DISP or prime contract requirements are landing on you for the first time — and you don't know where to start.
Limited IT resources
You might have one person wearing the IT hat (alongside their main role). Building a security program from scratch with minimal team feels impossible — and enterprise-scale solutions don't fit your reality.
Building security on legacy systems
You have legacy OT and IT environments that weren't designed with security in mind. Retrofitting Essential Eight controls onto ageing infrastructure requires practical solutions, not textbook approaches.
How we help manufacturers
SME-scaled guidance that fits your team, budget, and environment. We build security from the ground up, practical not theoretical.
Essential Eight Assessment & Uplift
Gap assessment scaled to your environment, with practical roadmap and implementation support.
DISP Application Support
Readiness assessment and application preparation — step-by-step guidance you can actually follow.
CSQ Completion Assistance
Accurate Commonwealth Security Questionnaire completion that reflects your actual security posture.
Defence Supply Chain Security
Posture assessment and compliance support to secure your position in the defence supply chain.
DIDG Grant Cybersecurity
Align your cybersecurity investments with Defence Industry Development Grant eligibility and reporting.
Cyber Risk Advisory
Strategic security direction and governance guidance for your board and leadership team.
We understand manufacturing reality
Defence supply chain compliance doesn't mean building an enterprise security team. It means building what you actually need, at the scale you can sustain.
We speak manufacturing
We understand the pressures of production-focused businesses. Our recommendations are practical, sized for SME teams, and don't require enterprise-scale budgets or headcount.
Build-from-scratch experience
Unlike defence contractors who already had security programs, we specialise in helping organisations build one for the first time. Legacy systems? Legacy culture? We know how to navigate both.
DIDG grant scoping
We help you identify what cybersecurity investments qualify for Defence Industry Development Grant funding, turning compliance into a cost-effective upgrade.
Practical not theoretical
No enterprise playbooks here. We deliver recommendations you can implement with your actual team size, budget, and technical environment — because we've done this before.
The numbers that matter
Manufacturers ask us these
Do we actually need a cybersecurity program?
If you're supplying (or want to supply) to defence contractors or the Commonwealth, yes. Prime contractors flow down cybersecurity requirements to their suppliers. Even if you're not supplying Defence yet, DISP-equivalent security helps you win contracts, meet compliance, and protect your intellectual property. A security program doesn't mean enterprise-scale teams — it means the right controls at your scale.
How much will it cost to build compliance?
It depends on where you start. A free health check gives you a realistic estimate. Many manufacturers qualify for DIDG funding that covers 50% of eligible cybersecurity investments. Assessment typically starts from $15,000. Implementation roadmaps are prioritised so you can budget iteratively rather than as one big spend. We help you identify which costs might be grant-eligible, turning compliance into a smart investment.
Can we do this with our one IT person?
Yes. We design roadmaps and controls specifically for SME teams. Our goal is to reduce your IT person's burden, not add to it. We help you build documentation, implement controls, and create processes that fit your team size. Ongoing assurance is structured so you're not running security like a full-time job — it's part of your operating rhythm.
What about our legacy equipment and systems?
Legacy systems are common in manufacturing. We assess what you have, identify what can be secured (and how), and work with you on practical mitigation for systems that can't be replaced immediately. Essential Eight ML2 is achievable even with legacy equipment — it requires thoughtful control design, not necessarily expensive new hardware.
Can DIDG funding really help us?
Absolutely. DIDG grants can cover 50% of eligible defence industry capability investments, including cybersecurity. We help you identify what qualifies, scope the investment appropriately, and structure applications to maximise funding. It's how many SMEs make compliance affordable rather than a cash burden.