Cyber in Defence at Defence Procurement Conference

Last week, we were proud to be part of the Defence Procurement Conference 2026, connecting with industry leaders and discussing the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the defence sector. Matt Allman shared valuable insights into Defence Cyber Certification (DCC) and what businesses need to know to prepare for evolving defence sector requirements. Brian Rhodes also joined two panel discussions alongside industry experts, exploring the opportunities for manufacturers entering the defence supply chain and examining the critical role of cybersecurity in strengthening and protecting the sector's future. Thank you to everyone who visited our stand and took the time to connect with the team. We enjoyed the conversations and look forward to continuing them in the weeks ahead. ➡️ Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ef63-mcz Greg Manno, Lakhan Kumar Gharu #DPCWM2026 #Defence #CyberSecurity #DefenceProcurement #Event

💾 Working in defence means we are all too aware of the threats faced by individuals, companies and countries when it comes to cyber. Those threats are becoming increasingly complex and numerous, which makes defence all the more important. With this in mind, we're pleased to share that Defence Media has recently achieved its Cyber Essentials certification, working closely with East Midlands cyber company Red Circles Cyber Security. To improve our cyber resilience further, we have also become a member of the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre (EMCRC). While Cyber Essentials is often viewed as a compliance exercise, we approached it as an opportunity to strengthen our internal processes, improve governance, and ensure that we continue to meet the expectations of clients operating in the defence, aerospace and wider national security sectors. Joining the EMCRC is another step in that journey, giving us access to guidance, best practice and a network focused on improving cyber resilience across the East Midlands and the UK. This is by no means the end of the journey, but an important milestone as we continue to invest in Defence Media. #CyberSecurity #CyberEssentials #CyberResilience #Defence #Aerospace #SMB #Governance

The Senate's FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes a provision to help small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors meet Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements. Under the proposal, eligible organizations could receive grants of up to $100,000 to help cover the direct costs of obtaining a CMMC Level Two assessment from a Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO). The bill would prioritize organizations that have not previously held a Department of War contract or subcontract, with total funding for the grant program capped at $50 million. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eGMpS4B9 #cybersecurity #NDAA #CMMC

“In a crisis, you will typically sink to the level of your training. You do not get lucky without effective planning and regular exercises.” In October 2025, a ministerial letter called on boards to take direct responsibility for strengthening their organisations’ cyber resilience, signalling a clear shift in how government expects cyber risks to be managed. Warren O'Driscoll, our Head of Security Practice, explores what board accountability means in practice in Intelligent CIO Europe. Drawing on his experience as a military reservist, he explains why organisations need to rehearse their response, embed cyber risk into governance and regularly stress-test their plans. Check out Warren’s full feature here: https://bit.ly/4eU5MP2

“In a crisis, you will typically sink to the level of your training. You do not get lucky without effective planning and regular exercises.” In October 2025, a ministerial letter called on boards to take direct responsibility for strengthening their organisations’ cyber resilience, signalling a clear shift in how government expects cyber risks to be managed. Warren O'Driscoll, our Head of Security Practice, explores what board accountability means in practice in Intelligent CIO Europe. Drawing on his experience as a military reservist, he explains why organisations need to rehearse their response, embed cyber risk into governance and regularly stress-test their plans. Check out Warren’s full feature here: https://bit.ly/4vaDZ31

The Defence Investment Plan includes £2.5bn of investment in Cyber and Electromagnetic capabilities. That should tell every defence supplier something important: Cyber is no longer just an IT issue. It's a defence capability. Organisations supporting defence programmes should be asking: - Could we evidence our cyber controls tomorrow? - Do we understand supply chain cyber risk? - Are we prepared for Defence Cyber Certification requirements? - Can we demonstrate resilience to customers and partners? The organisations that answer "yes" will be best positioned for future defence opportunities. #CyberSecurity #Defence #CyberAssurance #DCC #UKDefence

Nightwing has earned CMMC Level 2 certification with a perfect 110-point assessment score. John Xereas, Nightwing’s Chief Information Officer, said the certification confirms the company can help government customers keep important systems and sensitive information secure. The certification shows that Nightwing meets key Defense Department cybersecurity requirements for handling controlled unclassified information and supporting national defense and intelligence missions. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eYt-BnjG #Nightwing #Cybersecurity #CMMC #NationalSecurity #GovCon

I'm excited to share that I'll be joining AFCEA Kansas City's panel on Wednesday June 17th! Throughout my Air Force and Air National Guard career, to commercial and government consulting, advising federal agencies on cybersecurity risk and architecture — one thing has remained constant: the threats to our defense industrial base are real, they are growing, and they demand serious attention. The networks behind our national security missions are increasingly in the crosshairs. The organizations that make up our defense industrial base, many of them smaller companies without dedicated security teams are among the most vulnerable and most targeted. That is a problem we cannot afford to ignore. I'm looking forward to a candid conversation about what it actually takes to protect the infrastructure behind the mission, and what industry, government, and military leaders can do together to close the gaps. I hope to see you there. Cyber Threats to the Defense Industrial Base: Protecting the Networks Behind the Mission

Great to see the launch of the Government's Cyber Resilience Pledge and the continued emphasis on making Secure by Design a foundational principle across the public sector. Security cannot be an afterthought. As organisations embrace cloud, data and AI-driven transformation, resilience and trust must be built into services from the very beginning. At Sopra Steria, Secure by Design is embedded in everything we do, from solution architecture and service delivery through to operations and continuous improvement. By designing security in from the outset, we help our clients reduce risk, strengthen resilience and deliver trusted outcomes for citizens and users alike. Congratulations to everyone involved in driving this important initiative and well done Sue-Ellen Wright for staying cool outside of #10 #CyberResilience #SecureByDesign #CyberSecurity #DigitalGovernment #PublicSector #Trust #SecurityByDesign #SSL_OracleAlliance Sharon Castle

This week, Sue-Ellen Wright, our Aerospace, Defence and Security Managing Director, attended a reception at 10 Downing Street as a signatory to the UK Government’s Cyber Resilience Pledge. The event recognised those organisations that are working to strengthen the UK’s cyber resilience and support the delivery of the National Cyber Action Plan. The Pledge provides a practical framework to help organisations stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and build stronger defences. For us, signing the Pledge reflects our continued commitment to protecting customer information, supporting our supply chain, and strengthening resilience across the defence and security sectors. Image description: Sue-Ellen stood outside 10 Downing Street.