Defense manufacturers and developers
The goal is to protect intellectual property, development documentation and engineering systems from espionage-style, targeted attacks.
/ DEFENSE INDUSTRY
Defense Industry Security Testing
In the defense industry, cybersecurity is a matter of contractual eligibility and national interest. Security testing shows whether your sensitive data, engineering environments and supply chain can stand up to a targeted, persistent adversary.
[ 01 ] / WHAT IT IS
What is defense industry security testing, and what is its purpose in the sector?
In short
The purpose of defense industry security testing is to show that a defense-sector organization's sensitive, restricted-access and intellectual-property data, development environments and systems are protected against targeted, persistent (APT-style) adversaries, and that the organization meets customer and regulatory security requirements.
The defense industry is a prime target: sensitive technical data, development documentation, intellectual property and customer information attract even state-level actors. The threat is targeted and persistent, and often arrives through the supply chain, starting with smaller partners. So the aim of testing is not just to find the usual vulnerabilities, but to establish whether the organization can withstand a well-resourced, patient adversary.
The regulatory and contractual setting is demanding: national and EU rules, the security requirements of customers (including government and foreign partners), the rules for handling classified and restricted information, and frameworks such as ISO 27001 or NIST SP 800-171, which US customers and CMMC often expect. Testing provides evidence that controls work in practice.
Defense industry testing frequently extends to embedded and industrial systems, engineering and development environments, the review of air-gapped networks and their gateways, and supply-chain risk. The methodology builds on penetration testing and red teaming, within stricter confidentiality and access frameworks. We carry out only defensive, authorized testing of an organization's own systems.
Regulation and frameworks
- NIST SP 800-171
- CMMC
- ISO/IEC 27001
- NIS2
- MITRE ATT&CK
- IEC 62443
[ 02 ] / WHO IT'S FOR
Who benefits from defense industry security testing, and what is the goal for them?
In the defense sector the purpose differs by role, but the common thread is protecting sensitive data and trust.
Suppliers and subcontractors
The goal is to evidence compliance with customer security requirements. Weak links in the supply chain are a favorite way in for attackers, so customers increasingly ask for proof.
Defense-related software and electronics firms
The goal is early verification of the security of embedded software, communications and control systems during development.
Maintenance and logistics providers
The goal is to check access rights, remote access and data handling, as these providers often have broader access than their own protection justifies.
Small and mid-sized defense-sector companies
The goal is practical evidence of meeting customer expectations (such as NIST SP 800-171) at a manageable cost, with a risk-based scope.
Security and compliance leaders
The goal is an independent, evidence-based view of whether controls work in practice, for leadership and customers.
[ 03 ] / WHAT'S INCLUDED
What defense industry security testing covers
We define the scope and the method individually, after first agreeing the confidentiality and access conditions.
01
Threat modeling for targeted adversaries
We model the methods (TTPs) of persistent, well-resourced attackers and identify the organization's most valuable data and systems.
02
External and internal penetration testing
We test from the internet and from inside the network, with particular attention to paths that lead to critical data.
03
Red team simulation
An objective-driven, realistic attack simulation that tests whether your defenses detect and stop the adversary. See red teaming.
04
Development and engineering environments
We examine the protection of source repositories, CI/CD, engineering workstations and document management systems.
05
Embedded and industrial systems
Security assessment of control and embedded systems built into products and production, with product and plant safety in mind.
06
Segmentation and air-gapped networks
We check isolated and restricted-access networks, their gateways and the handling of removable media.
07
Supply chain and supplier access
We assess the risk from supplier and service-provider access, software dependencies and external connections.
08
Data handling and leakage prevention
We check how sensitive data is stored, transferred and access-controlled, and look for exfiltration paths.
[ 04 ] / HOW IT WORKS
How defense industry security testing runs
The first step is to fix the confidentiality and access framework. Sensitive data is always handled under the customer's rules.
Confidentiality and framework
We sign a nondisclosure agreement and agree in advance the access rules, where and how work is done, and who may carry out the testing. Any special conditions for classified environments are clarified with the customer.
Crown jewels and threats
We identify the most valuable data and systems and build a scenario around the relevant attacker methods.
Testing
We run penetration tests or the red team simulation in a controlled, agreed way, keeping plant and product safety in mind.
Evidence gathering
Findings are documented with evidence, handling and storing as little sensitive data as possible.
Report and remediation plan
You receive executive and technical reports, handled where required under your customer's marking rules, with fix recommendations and a timetable.
Retest and data closure
After fixes we verify the result, then delete or hand over the engagement data under the agreed rules.
[ 05 ] / WHAT IT SOLVES
What defense industry security testing solves, and why it pays off
In the defense industry, a successful attack does not just cost money: customer trust, contracts and intellectual property can be lost, and strategic harm can follow. Testing shows where a persistent attacker could get through, and where they would reach valuable data, before it happens.
It also serves as evidence for customers, authorities and auditors that your controls work in practice, which is increasingly a precondition for winning and keeping contracts.
- protection of sensitive data and intellectual property
- targeted attack paths exposed
- evidence for customers and regulators
- lower supply-chain risk
- stronger trust, which helps win and keep contracts
What you receive
- executive summary of the risk
- threat model and attack scenarios
- proven attack paths with evidence
- risk ratings by impact
- remediation plan with owners and deadlines
- evidence for customer and regulatory requirements
[ 06 ] / WHY QYNTAR
Why have Qyntar run your defense industry security testing?
Because defense testing demands both trust and an adversary's mindset for targeted attacks.
A targeted-attacker mindset
We do not tick off a standards checklist. We examine how a persistent, well-resourced adversary would actually reach the target.
Strict data handling
We set confidentiality, access rules and the handling of sensitive data at the start of the engagement, and keep to them throughout.
A defensive purpose
We carry out only authorized testing that protects an organization's own systems.
The full spectrum
IT, embedded and industrial systems and compliance support from a single partner. See compliance support.
[ 07 ] / FAQ
Frequently asked questions: Defense Industry Security Testing
What is the purpose of defense industry security testing?
To show that sensitive data, development environments and systems are protected against targeted, persistent adversaries, and that the organization meets customer and regulatory security requirements.
How do you handle sensitive and confidential information?
Before the engagement we sign a nondisclosure agreement and agree the access and data-handling rules. We handle, store and delete engagement data in the agreed manner, and process the minimum necessary.
Do you test in classified environments?
In environments that handle classified information, the conditions of work (security clearance, location, equipment) are subject to separate rules, which must be settled with the customer and the competent bodies before the engagement. We decide whether to accept such work after that discussion.
What are NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC, and why do they matter?
NIST SP 800-171 is the US requirement set for protecting controlled unclassified information, expected of suppliers on US defense contracts. CMMC is the related certification program. Testing helps evidence that controls work in practice.
Do you assess the supply chain and supplier access?
Yes. Supplier and service-provider access, software dependencies and external connections are often the greatest risk, so they can be part of the scope.
Could testing disrupt our systems?
We test under rules, windows and stop conditions agreed in advance. For systems sensitive to plant or product safety we are especially careful, and work in a lab or test environment where needed.
How long does a defense industry assessment take?
From a few weeks to several months depending on scope and method, and red team style engagements run longer. Agreeing the confidentiality and access framework can also take time. We give a schedule after scoping.
[ 08 ] / RELATED SERVICES
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