DISP & Essential Eight Cybersecurity Uplift for Defence SMEs
Defence compliance shouldn’t break your budget.
We help Defence SMEs and small businesses achieve DISP Membership, provide DISP IT support and Essential Eight cyber security maturity through practical, cost-effective cybersecurity uplift solutions.
The Essential Eight mitigation strategies are a set of baseline cyber security controls defined by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and published by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) as part of the official ACSC Essential Eight framework. Learn more about the framework here
DISP Overview
For small business and small and medium Defence suppliers (SMEs), meeting the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) and Essential 8 cyber security requirements can be daunting. Complex frameworks, limited resources, and evolving security standards often create barriers to entry.
At Calexi, we simplify the process.
Our consultants have worked across Defence, government, and industry, helping Australian SMEs navigate DISP accreditation and achieve Essential Eight Maturity Level 2 or 3 through smart, risk-based uplift activities.
We focus on practical outcomes implementing controls that make sense for your business, align with DISO and the Defence Security Principles Framework (DSPF), and are backed by clear evidence and documentation ready for audit or review.
Our Approach
Every organisation’s journey to DISP and Essential Eight compliance is different.
That’s why we tailor our cybersecurity uplift services to meet you where you are whether you’re preparing your first application or strengthening existing accreditation.
Our process includes:
- Gap Analysis & Risk Assessment – Identify what’s required to meet DISP and Essential Eight standards.
- Policy & Documentation Support – Develop or refine your governance artefacts, including risk registers, ICT security plans, and control evidence.
- Configuration & Operational Uplift – Implement practical security hardening and control improvements using affordable, proven technologies.
- Evidence Collection & Submission Support – Prepare audit-ready artefacts to demonstrate compliance and maturity.
- Ongoing Compliance Management – Maintain, monitor, and continuously improve your maturity level through managed services or periodic reviews.
Whether project-based or ongoing, our approach adapts to your organisation’s size, budget, and capability maturity.
Why Calexi
Calexi’s Defence heritage sets us apart.
Our team has delivered security uplift programs, accreditation support, and ICT hardening across Defence, CIOG, and critical-infrastructure projects, giving us a first-hand understanding of what DISP and Essential Eight success looks like in practice.
We specialise in:
- Risk-based remediation that targets the highest-impact Essential Eight improvements first
- Cost-effective cybersecurity solutions that maximise existing licences and leverage proven technologies
- Audit-ready documentation that satisfies DISP Membership and DSPF requirements
- Human-centred delivery, ensuring your team understands, adopts, and sustains Essential Eight uplift
- DISP IT support seamlessly integrated with Essential Eight uplift and evidence-ready delivery
Proven Capability in the Field
We’ve helped multiple Defence SMEs achieve DISP Membership and Essential Eight cyber security maturity uplift within tight budgets and timeframes.
Our work has improved client security postures, reduced overlapping technologies, and established sustainable, evidence-based compliance processes.
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DISP – Defence Industry Security Program Uplift
A Defence SME needed DISP compliance but faced limited resources and low security maturity. Calexi delivered a full uplift within 6 months, achieving Maturity Level 2, Defence approval, and cost savings all while improving security culture and posture.
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SME Essential Eight Compliance
A Defence industry SME required Essential Eight compliance to execute a Defence contract. Calexi delivered a full uplift in just four weeks, achieving ML1 across all areas, ML3 in key controls, and DISP membership within 3 months — reducing risk from very high to low/medium.
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ASX Hybrid Cloud
An ASX-listed critical infrastructure company faced major risks from an aging, non-compliant ICT environment. Calexi staff delivered a hybrid cloud transformation during COVID-19, enabling 100% remote work, achieving E8 compliance in under a month, and ensuring no staff layoffs while strengthening security and scalability.
Our uplift practice aligns with ASD Essential 8 / ACSC Essential Eight guidance, helping SMEs build defensible cybersecurity maturity, while our DISP IT support services deliver Essential Eight uplift and ongoing operational assurance for Defence SMEs.
Get in Touch
Achieving DISP and Essential Eight compliance doesn’t have to be complicated or costly.
Whether you’re applying for DISP Membership or strengthening your current maturity level, Calexi provides DISP IT support and Essential Eight services to guide you through every step with clarity and confidence.