Defence Cyber Certification: Aligning Risk Profiles with Real Assurance

In a previous article, we explored the MOD’s Cyber Security Model version 4 (CSMv4), the framework that introduced structured risk profiles to assess the cyber requirements of defence contracts.

Now, we turn our attention to what comes next: Defence Cyber Certification (DCC), the formal mechanism that ensures Defence Suppliers meet the resilience standards required across the risk profiles.

Why DCC Matters

DCC is the clearest signal yet that cyber security in the defence supply chain is no longer a box-ticking exercise. It moves assurance away from subjective self-assessment and towards third-party validation of controls, processes, and culture. For suppliers bidding into MOD work, this shift has real implications.

To recap, CSMv4 introduced four Cyber Risk Profiles (CRP0–CRP3) to categorise contracts based on the sensitivity of data involved and the potential impact of compromise. Depending on which level applies to a contract, suppliers are expected to meet a specific set of security outcomes, defined in DefStan 05-138 Issue 4. But while CSMv4 set the benchmark, DCC is the vehicle for demonstrating it.

What DCC Involves

DCC introduces a formal certification scheme aligned to each of the CSMv4 risk profiles. It’s overseen by IASME, who have developed the assessment criteria in partnership with the MOD. Instead of relying on supplier assertions, DCC requires evidence-based validation carried out by accredited certification bodies. In short, it closes the assurance gap.

The DCC framework outlines four levels of certification, each corresponding to the CRP assigned to a contract. At Level 0, the requirements are minimal, just three core controls. But by the time you reach Level 3, the scope widens significantly, with 144 control objectives covering everything from access control and vulnerability management to incident response and supplier due diligence.

Cyber Essentials and Certification Validity

Each level also carries a baseline requirement for Cyber Essentials, with Levels 2 and 3 mandating Cyber Essentials Plus. Certification is valid for three years, with an annual attestation required to demonstrate that controls remain in place and effective.

Crucially, certification scope is organisation-wide. That means your ability to bid for defence contracts at a given CRP level depends on your internal systems, your staff awareness, your third-party management, and your ability to produce verifiable evidence, not just your intentions.

Although DCC is not yet mandated across all MOD procurement, it is already beginning to appear in tender documentation, and is expected to become a core requirement over time. For defence suppliers, particularly SMEs, the message is clear: you need to prepare not just to meet the security outcomes of a CRP, but to prove that you meet them.

Beyond Compliance: The Value of DCC

This presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge lies in understanding what’s required, identifying any gaps in your existing setup, and putting in place the necessary policies, processes and monitoring to close them. The opportunity, however, is differentiation. Suppliers that achieve certification early are better positioned to win work, stand out to primes, and demonstrate a mature, transparent cyber posture.

It’s also a matter of internal benefit. Aligning to DCC doesn’t just help meet MOD expectations, it drives better cyber governance across the organisation, improves resilience, and ensures a consistent standard of security across teams and suppliers.

For many organisations, particularly those without a dedicated security function, DCC might seem like a significant overhead. That’s where secure managed services can bridge the gap, not just in tooling, but in providing assurance-aligned outcomes.

How DISX Supports DCC Compliance

Logiq’s secure managed service, DISX, is already delivering assured cyber resilience throughout the Defence Supply Chain. Aligned to the highest Cyber Risk Profile under CSMv4, DISX implements all the technical controls mandated by the DCC model, including full coverage of Cyber Essentials Plus requirements. The platform provides robust access controls, continuous monitoring, patch automation and policy enforcement – all backed by the operational evidence required for audit and certification.

In short, DISX doesn’t just support compliance – it underpins ongoing assurance and operational resilience across the lifecycle of defence engagement.

Getting Ready to Certify

If your organisation is likely to bid into MOD contracts at CRP1 or above, now is the time to act. Start by identifying your likely risk profile, mapping your current controls against the relevant DCC level, and engaging with a certification body, or NCSC Assured Consultancy, early to understand the process and expectations.

Gap assessments, policy development, user training, and evidence collection can take time, especially if you’re starting from a lower security baseline. The earlier these foundations are laid, the more agile and credible your bid responses will be down the line.

Looking Ahead

DCC represents a natural progression in the MOD’s effort to create a more secure, consistent and assured defence supply chain. It builds directly on the principles laid out in CSMv4, but adds teeth in the form of third-party accountability, continuous validation, and real consequences for non-compliance.

For suppliers already aligned with CSMv4, DCC may not require major changes, but it will require proof. For those yet to engage with the model, DCC is a clear sign that the bar is being raised. And staying ahead means acting now.

How We Can Help

If you’re unsure where to begin, we’re here to help. From scoping your CRP and identifying gaps, to deploying DCC-ready services like DISX, Logiq can help reduce the complexity and give you the confidence to move forward.