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Early-Stage Security Integration Challenge

Posted on Tags: Defence, security, Systems Engineering, Requirements Engineering, Capability Acquisition

Ministry of Defence Challenge

Transform early-stage capability development with security-first approaches

Solutions addressing this challenge will fundamentally change how military capabilities are conceived and developed. Successful approaches may lead to major transformation campaigns.

Challenge Summary

How do we incorporate ‘Secure by Design’ into the very earliest stages of capability acquisition?

In theory, ‘Secure by Design’ should be applied at the outset of a programme or project. In practice, a military capability’s form and functionality is still emerging at such an early stage, taking the form of little more than a single statement of user need.

Military capabilities primarily exist to deliver some effect for UK defence, and cyber security will always be a secondary goal. The challenge is incorporating security considerations without interfering with programme momentum or increasing costs to the point where the capability itself needs to be reconsidered.

Problem Context

Traditional approaches to capability acquisition often treat security as a later consideration, leading to costly retrofitting and suboptimal security outcomes. However, integrating security at the earliest stages—when requirements are barely formed—presents unique challenges requiring innovative approaches.

Current Challenges

  • Emerging Requirements: Functional and security requirements are still being discovered
  • Multiple Stakeholders: Security, safety, and domain experts often work in isolation
  • Programme Momentum: Early security considerations must not derail programme timelines
  • Cost Sensitivity: Security additions at early stages can trigger capability reassessment
  • Uncertainty Management: High uncertainty in both functional and security domains

Scale of Impact

  • £100M+ annual value through early security integration across all programmes
  • 200+ major programmes benefiting from improved early-stage security
  • Reduced total costs through avoiding expensive security retrofits
  • Enhanced capability protection from inception through operations
  • Shortened acquisition timelines through integrated engineering approaches

Challenge Requirements

We are seeking innovative solutions that address one or more of the following sub-challenges:

1. Requirements Coherence

Challenge: Support coherent engineering of functional and non-functional requirements at early stages

Requirements:

  • Tools for simultaneous security, safety, and human factors analysis
  • Requirements elicitation techniques that capture emerging security needs
  • Integration mechanisms for diverse requirements domains
  • Evidence generation for ‘Secure by Design’ assurance

Success Metrics:

  • 90% of programmes using integrated requirements approaches
  • 50% reduction in requirements-related changes post-concept phase
  • Comprehensive security evidence available at concept gate

2. Pan-DLOD Security Integration

Challenge: Model security threats across all Defence Lines of Development (DLODs)

Requirements:

  • Cross-DLOD threat modeling capabilities
  • Interdisciplinary security analysis tools
  • Threat assessment techniques for non-technical DLODs
  • Security risk aggregation across capability dimensions

Success Metrics:

  • Complete DLOD security coverage for all major programmes
  • Integrated security models spanning training, equipment, personnel, information, doctrine, organisation, infrastructure, and logistics
  • 70% improvement in cross-DLOD security threat identification

3. Operational Analysis Integration

Challenge: Integrate security considerations with Operational Analysis (OA) activities

Requirements:

  • Security-aware operational modeling and simulation
  • Risk appetite formulation incorporating security dimensions
  • Feedback mechanisms from ‘Secure by Design’ to operational analysis
  • Decision support tools incorporating security trade-offs

Success Metrics:

  • Security factors integrated into all major OA studies
  • Improved decision making quality with security-aware analysis
  • 60% better alignment between operational and security requirements

Proposed Solution Characteristics

Successful solutions should demonstrate:

  • Early Applicability: Effective when requirements are still emerging
  • Lightweight Integration: Minimal overhead on existing programme processes
  • Scalability: Applicable across diverse capability types and scales
  • Evidence Generation: Produces artifacts required for ‘Secure by Design’ assurance
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitates collaboration across security and domain experts

Technical Approaches of Interest

We are particularly interested in solutions incorporating:

  • Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Integrated security and functional modeling
  • Digital Engineering: Virtual environments for early security testing
  • Machine Learning: Automated requirements analysis and security pattern recognition
  • Simulation and Modeling: Early security risk assessment through virtual scenarios
  • Agile/DevSecOps: Iterative security integration approaches
  • Risk Assessment Frameworks: Quantitative security risk modeling
  • Design Thinking: Human-centered approaches to security requirements

Response Guidelines

Phase 1: Methodology Proposal (Due: May 15, 2025)

  • Approach overview and theoretical foundation (6 pages maximum)
  • Integration strategy with existing acquisition processes
  • Tool requirements and implementation approach
  • Validation plan using real programme scenarios
  • Cost-benefit analysis and resource requirements

Phase 2: Pilot Implementation (Selected proposals)

  • Working tools and processes demonstrating core capabilities
  • Pilot programme execution with real MOD programmes
  • Stakeholder feedback and process refinement
  • Scalability assessment and deployment planning
  • Business case development for full adoption

Support Available

MOD will provide selected solution providers with:

  • Programme access to real early-stage capability development projects
  • Stakeholder engagement with capability managers and requirements teams
  • Subject matter expertise across security, safety, and domain areas
  • Data access to historical programme information and lessons learned
  • Process integration support with existing acquisition frameworks
  • Validation environments for testing approaches with realistic scenarios

Success Stories

Examples of early successes in this domain:

  • Integrated Requirements Tools: Early-stage tools capturing security and functional needs simultaneously
  • DLOD Security Models: Comprehensive frameworks addressing security across all defence lines
  • Security-Aware OA: Enhanced operational analysis incorporating security considerations
  • Digital Security Twins: Virtual environments for early security validation

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be assessed on:

  1. Process Integration (25%): Seamless integration with existing acquisition processes
  2. Early Applicability (25%): Effectiveness when requirements are still emerging
  3. Evidence Quality (20%): Quality of security evidence generated for assurance
  4. Cost Effectiveness (15%): Minimal impact on programme costs and timelines
  5. Stakeholder Adoption (15%): Ease of adoption by diverse stakeholder communities

Implementation Phases

Successful solutions will be implemented through:

Phase A: Pilot Programmes (Months 1-6)

  • Selection of 3-5 early-stage programmes for piloting
  • Tool deployment and process integration
  • Stakeholder training and adoption support
  • Initial effectiveness assessment

Phase B: Scaled Deployment (Months 7-18)

  • Rollout to 20+ programmes across different capability domains
  • Process refinement based on pilot lessons
  • Integration with MOD acquisition systems
  • Comprehensive evaluation and optimization

Phase C: Full Adoption (Months 19-36)

  • MOD-wide deployment across all relevant programmes
  • Training programme for all acquisition staff
  • Policy and process updates to mandate approaches
  • Continuous improvement and evolution

This challenge connects with other MOD ‘Secure by Design’ initiatives:

Contact Information

Challenge Lead: Air Commodore James Thompson
Email: early.stage.security@mod.gov.uk
Phone: 020 7218 4200

Systems Engineering Queries: Dr. Rachel Martinez
Email: systems.engineering@mod.gov.uk

Operational Analysis Queries: Prof. David Wilson
Email: operational.analysis@mod.gov.uk

Collaboration Opportunities

  • Requirements workshops: Monthly sessions with capability managers
  • Technical seminars: Bi-weekly deep dives on specific approaches
  • Cross-programme reviews: Quarterly assessments of pilot implementations
  • International exchanges: Annual workshops with allied nations on early-stage security

This challenge supports the Secure by Design Problem Book objective of embedding security from the earliest stages of capability development.