MoD Secure by Design (SbD)
MOD Secure by Design applies across all top‑level budgets (TLBs) and arm’s length bodies, and to every capability and service that handles Defence data. That includes digital services, platforms, software and code, and anything suppliers deliver into Defence.
Secure by Design (SbD) is the Ministry of Defence’s mandate to build cyber security into a capability from the first sketch to final retirement.
It means identifying what matters, who might threaten it and how, then selecting proportionate controls, testing them continuously, and designing for detection and response as standard. SbD treats security as an ongoing risk management discipline across the entire lifecycle, aligning security effort with business objectives and risk appetite rather than chasing checklists.
What is Secure by Design (SbD)?
What is a Secure by Design (SbD)?
SbD integrates security tasks throughout the CADMID/T lifecycle (“shift-left”), guided by ten mandatory principles and specific requirements, including naming a senior risk owner, setting proportionate controls, engineering detect-and-respond capabilities, and securing the supply chain. Key activities encompass risk assessment, threat modelling, and continuous assurance, moving away from one-off accreditation. The framework emphasises designing for incidents with robust logging, monitoring, and rehearsed incident response, supported by rigorous supply chain security and integration with ISO 27001.
Key Advantages of Secure by Design (SbD)
Key Advantages of Secure by Design (SbD)
The key advantages of Secure by Design (SbD) from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are numerous and impactful in enhancing overall security protocols. These advantages include:
- Proactive security measures that are thoughtfully integrated from the very outset of design and development, ensuring that potential vulnerabilities are addressed before they can be exploited.
- A significant reduction in vulnerabilities and attack surfaces, minimising potential cyber threats’ points of entry and enhancing the overall integrity of systems.
- Enhanced resilience against an increasingly wide variety of cyber threats, which empowers organisations to withstand attacks and maintain operational continuity even in adverse situations.
- Streamlined incident response and recovery processes that ensure organisations can act swiftly and effectively in the event of a security breach, thus minimising damage and downtime.
- Compliance with industry-leading security standards not only helps safeguard sensitive information but also instils confidence in stakeholders and the general public in the organisation’s commitment to security.
These advantages collectively strengthen national security and promote confidence in the technological frameworks put in place to protect critical information and infrastructure.
Why is Secure by Design (SbD) important?
Secure by Design (SbD) is crucial in today’s digital landscape as it ensures that security measures are integrated into the core of a system from the very outset, rather than being considered as an afterthought or an appendage. This proactive approach not only helps to mitigate potential vulnerabilities but also significantly reduces the overall attack surface, thereby limiting opportunities for malicious actors to exploit weaknesses. Additionally, embedding security into the design phase enhances the system’s overall resilience against a wide array of cyber threats. By prioritising security from the beginning, organisations can foster a culture of security awareness and responsibility, ensuring that all stakeholders understand the importance of safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining system integrity throughout the software development lifecycle.
It is imperative to designate a Senior Risk Owner (SRO) with a deep understanding of cybersecurity and risk management. Moreover, it is crucial to establish explicit agreements on the diverse security roles and responsibilities required to sustain a strong, practical security framework.
Senior Risk Owner
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Establish the appropriate risk appetite for a given capability, taking into consideration the organisation’s objectives and risk tolerance. This process involves thoroughly documenting the assets associated with that capability, conducting detailed threat modelling to identify potential vulnerabilities, and performing a comprehensive risk assessment to evaluate and prioritise risks effectively.
Risk appetite and Risk
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It is essential to maintain proportionate controls throughout operations, ensuring they are balanced and managed effectively, supported by robust assurance evidence that demonstrates their efficiency and long-term viability. Regular reviews of these controls are vital, allowing for necessary adaptations in response to emerging challenges or risks.
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Proportionate controls
Due diligence is essential in today’s technology-driven landscape, as it involves thorough checks and evaluations. This includes hardened builds, designed to enhance security against vulnerabilities; CI/CD controls that streamline development processes while ensuring quality and security; ongoing patching to address newly discovered vulnerabilities; and secure retirement practices that ensure data protection when systems are decommissioned.
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Secure the supply chain
What to expect from working with TrustedIA
Secure by Design in Defence is simple in intent and rigorous in practice: make security a continuous, risk‑driven engineering discipline across CADMID/T, led by accountable people and evidenced in operation. Apply it proportionately, integrate it with delivery, and keep decisions, controls and outcomes continually testable.
Applies to TLBs, ALBs, and various suppliers; all these entities are strategically aligned to cross-government initiatives that focus on the comprehensive concept of SbD, which stands for Secure by Design. This approach not only emphasises the importance of security in the design phase but also aims to foster a deeper understanding of how these principles can be integrated into the operations of these organisations, ensuring that security measures are a foundational aspect of their functionality and governance.
Ten essential principles serve as guiding pillars for the design, construction, and operation processes throughout the CADMID/T framework, ensuring that each phase is informed by a robust foundation of best practices and strategic considerations. These principles not only facilitate effective project management but also enhance the overall quality and sustainability of the outcomes.
Service and supply chain choices are fundamentally shaped and influenced by an organisation’s risk appetite, as well as the various potential threats they face in the marketplace. This relationship highlights the importance of understanding the nuances of risk management in order to make informed decisions that will ultimately drive the organisation’s success.
Identify, address, and recover from challenges efficiently by establishing robust foundational processes early in the project. Prioritise the implementation and regular practice of these critical steps to ensure optimal effectiveness and sustained success in your initiatives.
Risk owners receive live, decision-ready evidence that is continuously updated and maintained, rather than relying solely on one-off paperwork that may quickly become outdated, irrelevant, and possibly inaccurate over time. This ongoing access to real-time information empowers them to make informed decisions swiftly, ensuring that they are always equipped with the most current data to mitigate potential risks effectively.
Ministry of Defence Secure by Design (SbD)
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your questions about our services and how we can assist you.
What is Secure by Design (SbD) in the context of the Ministry of Defence?
Secure by Design (SbD) is the Ministry of Defence’s mandate to integrate cybersecurity into capabilities from initial conception to final retirement, focusing on ongoing risk management, continual testing, and aligning security efforts with business objectives.
How does SbD ensure security throughout the lifecycle of a system?
SbD achieves security by identifying critical assets, assessing threats, implementing proportionate controls, engineering detect-and-respond capabilities, securing supply chains, and continuously assessing risks through risk assessments, threat modelling, and assurance activities.
What are the main advantages of adopting Secure by Design principles?
The main advantages include proactive security from the outset, reduction in vulnerabilities, increased resilience to cyber threats, streamlined incident response, and compliance with industry standards, all of which strengthen national security and stakeholder confidence.
Why is it important to embed security early in system design?
Embedding security early in design minimises vulnerabilities, reduces attack surfaces, enhances resilience, and fosters a culture of security awareness, leading to more secure and trustworthy systems throughout their lifecycle.
What role does continuous assurance play in SbD?
Continuous assurance provides live, decision-ready evidence that is regularly updated, enabling risk owners to make informed, real-time decisions and respond swiftly to emerging risks, thus maintaining robust security postures.
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