DISP Membership System (DMS) Update

New capabilities have recently been introduced to the DISP Membership System (DMS) to help members streamline the management of their membership, ensuring they can more easily comply with DISP program requirements. Below is a summary of each one:

Member responsibilities

DISP membership comes with several ongoing responsibilities that are now easier to manage through the DMS. Members must safeguard Defence and industry assets, information, and personnel, appoint a Chief Security Officer (CSO) and a Security Officer (SO), and ensure regular security training and staff suitability checks. The DMS has now evolved to help with the management of these requirements, making it simpler to update and track staff roles and training progress.

Annual Security Reports

Annual Security Reports (ASR) are now required to be submitted via the DMS. DISP members must submit an ASR every year within 10 business days of their membership anniversary. The DMS now allows the SO to draft, edit, and prepare the report, while the CSO is responsible for reviewing, approving, and submitting it. The ASR has also received a revamp – it is now a much longer questionnaire, particularly the cyber questionnaire component, as it now aligns with the new DISP requirements as outlined in the latest version of the DSPF. If you have an ASR due soon and haven’t discussed submission with our team yet, please get in touch.

Change in circumstance

The new DMS capability roll out now allows members to report changes in circumstance that might affect their DISP status. These updates can include changes to entity details (such as business names or contracts), personnel updates (like new CSOs or SOs), and modifications to foreign ownership, control and influence. The DMS allows members to submit these changes quickly, ensuring that the DISP is kept up to date with the latest information.

The system also includes a feature for reporting changes to contracts with Defence, new panel memberships, and updates on cybersecurity practices, including compliance with the Essential Eight Cyber strategies.

Physical and ICT

The DMS also supports reporting on any new or changes to Defence certifications and accreditations related to physical facilities or ICT networks. This ensures that all relevant security and compliance documentation is easily accessible and can be promptly updated.

Essential Eight Cyber

One of the key enhancements in the DMS is the ability for members to track and report changes to their cybersecurity posture in line with the Essential Eight Cyber Maturity strategies. The system now includes features for reporting updates on security controls that were not previously required such as multi-factor authentication and regular backups. The DMS now has functionality to members to report on their compliance with the Essential Eight.

Membership levels

The DMS also now enables DISP members to request changes in their membership levels. Whether upgrading or downgrading, businesses can now easily apply for changes through the system, ensuring that their membership status reflects their current capabilities and needs.

---

These new capabilities in the DISP Membership System (DMS) aim to provide for a more streamlined management of your DISP compliance.

If you are an existing DISP member and require support with maintaining your membership, check out our Ongoing Compliance Assurance (OCA™) and Security Officer Support as a Service (SOSaaS™) pages for more information about how the De Stefano & Co team can support your organisation.