If your organisation supplies products, services or software to the UK Government, Ministry of Defence (MOD), aerospace sector or other regulated industries, you have almost certainly heard the phrase Secure by Design. This principle is rapidly becoming an expectation throughout the procurement lifecycle.
Many small and medium-sized businesses assume Secure by Design only applies to software developers or cyber security specialists. But actually, it affects manufacturers, engineering companies, technology providers, managed service providers and organisations delivering professional services.
So, what does Secure by Design mean? More importantly, what does it mean for your organisation, your ISO certifications and your ability to win future contracts?
What Does Secure by Design Mean?
Secure by Design is the principle of considering security from the very beginning of a product, service, system or process rather than attempting to add security controls later.
Instead of asking, “How do we secure this?” when development is complete, Secure by Design asks, “How do we build this securely from day one?”
The UK Government describes Secure by Design as embedding cyber security throughout the entire delivery lifecycle through continuous risk management, clear accountability and ongoing assurance, rather than treating security as a final compliance exercise.
For organisations this means security should influence decisions involving:
- Product and service design
- Software development
- Manufacturing processes
- Supply chain management
- Procurement
- Information management
- Operational technology
- Maintenance and support
Security becomes a design requirement alongside quality, safety, cost and performance.
Why is Secure by Design Becoming Important?
Cyber attacks continue to increase in sophistication, while supply chains have become more interconnected than ever before.
The UK Government has recognised that many vulnerabilities originate during the design stage. Fixing these weaknesses after systems have been deployed is significantly more expensive, more disruptive and often less effective.
Rather than relying solely on penetration testing or certification at the end of a project, Secure by Design encourages organisations to identify risks earlier and manage them continuously throughout the lifecycle.
For suppliers, this represents a significant cultural change.
Secure by Design and UK Defence Procurement
The Ministry of Defence has adopted Secure by Design as its preferred approach for delivering secure capabilities across defence programmes.
Industry Security Notice (ISN) 2023/09 explains that Secure by Design applies across the definition, acquisition, development, operation and disposal of defence capabilities including IT systems, operational technology, networks, platforms and weapons systems. Continuous risk management sits at the centre of the approach.
This matters because many organisations never contract directly with the MOD.
They supply prime contractors, Tier 1 suppliers, Tier 2 engineering companies, Aerospace manufacturers, Defence software providers, for example.
Increasingly, these larger organisations expect their suppliers to demonstrate mature cyber security and governance before awarding contracts.
Even where Secure by Design is not explicitly listed within a tender, many of its underlying principles already appear in supplier questionnaires, technical assurance reviews and due diligence exercises.
How Does ISO 27001 Support Secure by Design?
ISO 27001 provides one of the strongest foundations for demonstrating Secure by Design principles.
Although ISO 27001 does not specifically use the phrase “Secure by Design”, it requires organisations to build security into business processes through a risk management approach.
Government guidance specifically identifies ISO 27001 as one recognised framework capable of demonstrating mature security practices alongside frameworks such as the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
For many SMEs, ISO 27001 provides the most practical route towards demonstrating Secure by Design maturity.
How Does AS9100 Relate to Secure by Design?
Many aerospace organisations ask whether AS9100 covers Secure by Design. While not directly referenced, the standard does indirectly address this.
AS9100 focuses on product quality, risk management, configuration management, design control and supplier assurance.
These disciplines naturally complement Secure by Design because both standards require organisations to:
- identify risks early
- manage design changes
- maintain traceability
- verify requirements
- control suppliers
- continually improve processes
When AS9100 is combined with ISO 27001, organisations create a management system that demonstrates both engineering excellence and cyber resilience.
This combination is becoming increasingly valuable within aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing supply chains.
Secure by Design is About People as Much as Technology
One of the biggest misconceptions is that Secure by Design is purely an IT issue.
Actually, a successful implementation involves almost every business function including:
Senior leadership establish governance.
Engineering teams consider security during product design.
Procurement evaluates supplier risks.
Operations manage secure deployment.
HR supports staff awareness.
Quality teams ensure security requirements become embedded within business processes.
The organisations performing best in procurement are those where security becomes part of organisational culture rather than simply the responsibility of the IT department.
Common Questions About Secure by Design
Is there a Secure by Design certification?
No.
Unlike ISO 27001 or Cyber Essentials, Secure by Design is an approach rather than a standalone certification. Government guidance focuses on achieving security outcomes rather than obtaining a specific accreditation.
Do small businesses need Secure by Design?
Yes.
Many SMEs incorrectly assume this only affects major defence contractors.
In reality, smaller suppliers are increasingly asked to demonstrate robust cyber security because they form part of larger supply chains.
Is Secure by Design only for software developers?
No.
Although software development is an important application, Secure by Design also applies to manufacturing, engineering, operational technology, cloud services, procurement and physical products.
Does ISO 27001 automatically make us Secure by Design?
Not automatically.
ISO 27001 provides an excellent framework, but organisations still need to demonstrate that security is genuinely considered during planning, design and operational decision making.
A certificate alone is not enough.
Will Secure by Design help us win more tenders?
Increasingly, yes.
Government buyers and prime contractors are placing greater emphasis on cyber resilience and supply chain assurance. Organisations that can clearly demonstrate mature security governance are often better positioned during procurement evaluations.
How Assent Risk Management Can Help
Whether your organisation is implementing ISO 27001, maintaining AS9100 certification or preparing for defence and public sector procurement, Secure by Design should become part of your management system rather than a separate initiative.
At Assent Risk Management we help organisations integrate security, quality and governance into practical business processes that satisfy customers while improving operational resilience.
Our consultancy services include ISO 27001 implementation, AS9100 consultancy, internal auditing, supplier assurance, cyber security governance, risk management and tender readiness. We also have a dedicated aerospace consultancy practice, VAELO Aerospace, whos expert team can help you address a range of compliance issues.
Rather than simply helping organisations pass an audit, we help build management systems
