Cyber Security & Manufacturing

Cyber Security and Manufacturing in the Defence Sector

The recent announcement by the Federal Government of the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines is amongst the most significant defence capability decision in Australia’s history. This decision complements the Governments ongoing transformation of the Australian defence industry into a fundamental part of our national security and economic foundations.

Supporting Australia’s sovereign defence industry is central to the Government’s Defence plan, and the stakes are now even higher to ensure we protection these investments and provide sufficient priority to security matters, including cyber security.

The financial rewards for investing in defence capability are high with the Government investing $270 billion over the next 10 years to upgrade the capability and potency of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), but the risks are equally significant.

Defence industry plans include investing in more lethal and longrange capabilities and area denial capabilities.

There will be investment in capabilities to give Australia better awareness of our region and to support regional engagement and increase our air and sea lift capability.

The Government has stated the aim is to develop more durable supply chains, while further strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence industry to create more high tech Australian jobs and enhance the self reliance of the ADF.

Australia faces a range of sophisticated and persistent espionage and foreign interference threats from hostile foreign intelligence services. Many of the adversaries targeting Australia are highly capable and have the intent and persistence to cause significant harm to our nation’s security, information, assets and people.

Businesses must ensure they are cyber secure and resilient as we become more connected and engaged in Defence work and in light of the rise in use of digital technology result of this pandemic.

Companies must develop robust and effective security practices and procedures and remain every vigilant if they are to be considered as part of Defence’s supply chain. Last year’s Government announcement relating to malicious actors targeting Australian business was a timely reminder. The latest annual cyber threat report by the ACSC also highlights that cyber threats are increasing with cybercrime reported every eight minutes in Australia in the 2020-21 financial year. And we need to bear in mind that those are only the reported incidents, noting that they may not reflect all cyber threats and trends in Australia’s cyber security environment.

Indeed, Australian businesses are becoming more aware of security risks, particularly in the defence industry which has experienced several highprofile attacks. These kinds of attacks can have serious impacts of Defence capability, the financial viability of businesses, as well as Australia’s competitive position in global markets.

Even though Defence and industry have learned from these experiences, threats and associated risks are constantly evolving so Defence and industry must too.

Protecting against cybercrime, espionage, unauthorised access is becoming increasingly challenging for governments and businesses of all sizes. However, there are many things you can do to raise your levels of security protection and minimise your risks.

To support industry in dealing with those risks, Ai Group developed a guide in cooperation with Defence and other Government agencies, Working Securely with Defence, which was released in February 2021 and is available at aigroup.com.au in the defence sector section.

The purpose of this guide is to help provide guidance for businesses to become eligible for classified and sensitive Defence work through participation in the Defence Industry Security program (DISP).

There are a range of industry tips, case studies, links to relevant resources, assistance, contacts and templates. The information will help business put together their applications for membership of the DISP.

The DISP helps businesses get the right security requirements when delivering Defence contracts and tenders and gives access to Defence security advice and support services.

Importantly it helps companies to better understand and manage security risks across their business and gives confidence to Defence when procuring goods and services from industry members.

As Australian businesses emerge fully from COVID restrictions they will be looking for new opportunities. Defence is one sector where such opportunities will be in abundance over the coming decades. But businesses will need to prepare including developing their security capabilities to the appropriate level required by the Government and potential partners in the industry. The development of a nuclear-powered submarine program only makes this important work more significant for Australia’s national security and stability.

HARS Aviation Museum Shellharbour – A Jumbo Experience

Just over an hour drive south from Sydney Airport, an amazing display of almost 50 aircraft await visitors to a guided tour of the uniquely interactive HARS Aviation Museum.

From the only Boeing 747-400 remaining in Australia to military evolution from the present and back to an almost ready to fly again recreation of the Charles Kingsford Smith 1920’s Southern Cross (a faithful replica Fokker F.VIIb/3m trimotor) -- the collection is a proud testimony to 40 years of perseverance, dedication and expertise of members of the allvolunteer Historical Aircraft Restoration Society.

As HARS President Bob De La Hunty puts it: “Our aim is straightforward - to recover, and where possible restore to flying condition, aircraft or types of aircraft that have played a significant part in Australian aviation civil and military history.”

But it’s way more than that for the society’s almost 800 members. As Bob says: “In addition to our pride in maintaining our aeroplanes, HARS has a valuable social function in allowing our pilots and engineers to continue their love affair with aeroplanes and to interact with their compatriots long after they have moved on from active involvement with heavy aircraft.”

It was tenacity over a gruelling five years which enabled Bob and his then fledgling team to bring back to life a Lockheed Super Constellation – now the only one of its type anywhere in the world still flying. Originally a 1955 era USAF military transport, “Connie” was flown into desert graveyard storage in 1977 and deteriorated until saved by HARS members then flown for 39.5 hours in an epic flight from Tucson across the Pacific to Australia back in 1996. It’s a rare chance to walk back in time on board “Connie” to reflect on how far international travel has come – for both passengers and crew -- in over 60 years since the type inaugurated Qantas around-the-world services.

Towering over Shellharbour Airport, the sheer size of the Boeing 747-400 makes it a highlight of any visit to HARS Aviation Museum.

It wasn’t just the first of its type to enter service with Qantas back in 1989. After a record-setting non-stop direct delivery flight of 20 hr 9 min and 5 sec from London to Sydney, the “City of Canberra” served for 25 years carrying some four million passengers before setting another Qantas mark with a final delivery flight of just 11 min from Sydney to the regional airport back in 2015.

While a walk through this Queen of the Skies with expert guide commentary is included in all museum visits, visitors can book ahead for options including a Wing Walk, Cockpit Tour with an experienced pilot or the four-hour premium Total Boeing 747 Experience Tour which takes in an inspection of the entire aircraft conducted by experienced 747 crew.

Apart from Connie, other aircraft maintained to flying status are three DC-3/C-47 aircraft including “Hawdon” which flew the first passenger service for Trans-Australian Airlines in a three-hour journey from Melbourne to Sydney in 1946, the last of the threeengine de Havilland Drovers built at Bankstown in 1950 and a Tiger Moth.

Restoration of civil aircraft include a DC-4 now resplendent in 1950s Qantas livery, a Convair 440 in TAA colours, two Fokker F27-500 Frienships and a Morava which was used by AnsettANA in the Whitsunday Islands and Queensland.

Not yet back in Australia is the former Qantas Boeing 707, currently registered N707JT, which John Travolta has donated to HARS. Challenging work in the Covid environment is well underway at Georgia in USA and progressing well to fulfill the task of bringing this classic aircraft back to airworthiness condition for its ferry flight to Australia.

Flying military history continues to draw admiration with a PBY Catalina (the only one of its type in Australia still flying), three P-2 Neptunes (two flyable), two former RAAF Vietnam veteran de Havilland Caribou, a Winjeel and the only former defence AP-3C Orion now flying in civil registration. There’s an impressive range of static military history including a

CA-27 Australian Sabre jet, a Canberra bomber, two Vampires, a Mirage III and an F-111C.

Now classed as the Navy Heritage Flight, the museum hosts a flying Grumman Tracker S-2G with folding wings showing its aircraft carrier heritage and former RAN Fleet Air Arm Iroquois helicopter 898. Static former RAN aircraft on show are a Wessex helicopter, a Sea Venom, a Hawker Sea Fury, an Auster Autocar with a former Navy Dakota currently under restoration.

Tarmac Days, held on the second Friday of each month and onto the weekend, provide an opportunity to showcase selected aircraft, and where possible engine runs or flying, for visitors to HARS Aviation Museum.

On Tarmac (and all other) Days you can drop into Café Connie which offers great coffee and a wide selection of hot and cold foods at very reasonable prices so you can make a meal of your visit.

In addition to welcoming visitors, HARS Aviation Museum now has an eShop. A special range of HARSbranded clothing such as T-shirts and hoodies are available together with some HARS household items such as carry bags and cushion covers. These items are not carried in the HARS shop located at Shellharbour Airport. The merchandise is of exceedingly high quality and will be delivered by post to your nominated address.

HARS Aviation Museum, located at Shellharbour Airport just off the old Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail, is open seven days a week (except Christmas Day). It’s a short walk from Albion Park railway station on the South Coast line. Please allow around two hours for a comprehensive tour.

With New South Wales emerging from a long winter’s lockdown, for current opening hours and for an upto-date of any restrictions necessary to ensure a Covid-Safe environment it’s best to check the HARS website (www.hars.org.au) with additional information posted on the HARS Facebook page.

Top: Visitors rate the experience of walking through the only Boeing 747-400 remaining in Australia as a highlight of their visit to HARS Aviation Museum. Mark Mennie Bottom: Heralded as the most beautifully shaped airline ever, Lockheed Super Constellation “Connie” typifies the determination of HARS volunteers to maintain Australia’s heritage – airworthy wherever possible – for the enjoyment and education of future generations. Howard Mitchell photo.

Elexon Electronics is taking quality and environmental systems to the next level

Elexon Electronics is taking quality and environmental systems to the next level The manufacturing industry can be unpredictable. One minute you are entering into a lucrative contract with a great potential customer. The next, Covid hits and that customer goes out of business — putting you at risk in the process. Consequently, Elexon Electronics ways to expand into new industries such as defence, IoT and sensor technologies. These sectors are rapidly developing, creating engineering and manufacturing opportunities. They are also highly regulated and not easily accessible. Being compliant with AS 9100 (aerospace quality management system) is usually mandatory. Also, an environmental management system ISO 14001 is a must.

Kylie Warren joined the Elexon Electronics’ team to support the installation of the quality management systems. The first part of external audits is just around the corner. We asked Kylie what these changes mean for Elexon. Elexon has been ISO 9001 certified for 15 years. Why more?

Elexon is expanding in the defence sector which has very stringent requirements to become part of the supply chain, whether direct to a prime or a tier two or three organisation. To become AS 9100 certified can be a lengthy and demanding process, but the benefits far outweigh the costs. AS 9100 certification says that your company offers consistent and highquality products and service. Our investment into quality management systems also invests in the men and women who keep our country safe.

What’s the difference between ISO 9001 and AS 9100D and what does it mean for your customers?

The main focus of the AS 9100D is the customer. With our current ISO 9001 certification, we focus on quality processes and product quality development. AS 9100D is the next step, we must now report our quality metrics from a customer point of view. For example, reporting on on-time deliveries, product conformity and customer satisfaction, and taking appropriate actions when planned results are not achieved. This is how we meet customer and regulatory requirements, provide vital traceability and promote and evidence a culture of continual improvement.

What are your views on Environmental Management System ISO 14001?

As an ethical company, Elexon Electronics cares about the environment. Even though we are already environmentally aware, formal certification is a must to engage with government contracts. By formalizing something we are already committed to, we prove our dedication to our existing and future customers.

What are the benefits of implementing ISO 14001?

What I like about ISO 14001 is that it is not just about the paperwork. It has a huge operational impact by keeping in mind the environment and our potential effect on it. We have to control how we dispose of waste; when designing a new product, we need to consider the whole product lifecycle so we don’t burden the environment in the future with unnecessary components. Smart and future-proof product development is crucial. Another element is emergency response and contingency plans. We are developing strategies for any emergency situation such as spills or fires because risk identification, awareness and planning is essential. To put it simply, by integrating these management systems into our internal processes, we are improving business performance and quality level of our products and services.