South Australian defence businesses will have access to a new pilot program designed to strengthen their cyber resilience, improve defence readiness and help unlock new opportunities in defence supply chains across Australia and international markets.

The South Australian Defence Industry Cyber Capability Uplift Program will support up to 30 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the state’s defence sector to better understand the cyber security requirements needed to compete for Defence and global supply chain opportunities.

An initiative of Defence SA, the program will be delivered by the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (Aus3C) in partnership with De Stefano & Co and CyberSolveIQ, providing participating businesses with expert guidance, tailored assessments and a practical roadmap to improve their cyber maturity.

In a rapidly changing threat environment, strong cyber maturity has become an increasingly important requirement for businesses seeking to compete in defence supply chains.

Defence SA Executive Director Ian Spencer said the program would help South Australian defence businesses build the cyber maturity needed to participate in increasingly complex supply chains.

“Cyber resilience is no longer optional for businesses looking to participate in defence supply chains,” Mr Spencer said.

“This program will help South Australian defence SMEs better understand cyber security requirements, strengthen their capability and improve their competitiveness for future defence opportunities both in Australia and overseas.”

Participants will undertake cyber maturity assessments, attend workshops and access practical resources to help improve their cyber security capability.

Aus3C Chief Executive Officer Guy Roberts said the program would support businesses to strengthen their cyber security posture and prepare for the future defence supply chain opportunities.

“As a national centre of excellence, the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre uplifts the cyber resilience of the Australian business through research, training and education,” Mr Roberts said.

“Nowhere is our mission more important than in the defence sector and especially in strengthening defence SME’s cyber security posture.”

“Businesses must grasp the nettle if they want to participate and prosper in the defence supply chain of the future,” he said.

The program will also help businesses better understand cyber security frameworks from the United States and United Kingdom and build the capability and confidence to meet these standards.

Program costs are substantially subsidised by Defence SA as part of the South Australian Government’s commitment to building cyber resilience across the state’s defence and space supply chains.

Applications are now open and close on 19 August 2026.

Learn more and register for the South Australian Defence Industry Cyber Capability Uplift Program.