Securing the Defence Supply Chain: C3IA Solutions and Nova Blue Launch Joint Strategic Partnership
A collaborative approach to navigating Defence Cyber Certification with confidence.
C3IA Solutions, an NCSC assured cyber consultancy headquartered in Poole, and Nova Blue Technologies, a premier cyber advisory and technical services provider based in Cheltenham, have announced a joint strategic partnership. This collaboration is designed to streamline and simplify the path to Defence Cyber Certification (DCC) for businesses operating within the UK defence supply chain.
By combining C3IA’s status as an accredited DCC Certification Body with Nova Blue’s technical and advisory expertise, the partnership offers a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for defence suppliers navigating complex compliance landscapes.
Introduced by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), in partnership with IASME, the Defence Cyber Certification scheme establishes a consistent, independently assessed standard for defence suppliers. This represents a clear shift away from fragmented, contract-by-contract assurance toward a single, organisation-wide certification. Given that the assessment is thorough and comprehensive, organisations may require pre-assessment support before embarking on it to ensure they successfully meet all requirements.
The Challenge of Defence Compliance
In an era of heightened geopolitical tension, safeguarding sensitive government and military data is critical. For organisations working with the UK MoD, achieving DCC compliance is not just a regulatory hurdle; it is a vital shield against highly sophisticated threat actors. However, preparing for these rigorous assessments can often feel daunting for businesses trying to balance security with daily operations.
This new partnership addresses that exact challenge, proving that the two organisations are truly greater than the sum of their parts. Under this collaboration, Nova Blue provides comprehensive support to improve an organisation’s cyber security posture across people, process, and technology. This isn’t just an advisory service – Nova Blue’s technicians proactively configure the organisation’s digital estate to make them a harder target, then monitor it around the clock ready to respond if an incident occurs. Once the ecosystem is hardened and the policies and processes are in place, C3IA steps in as the independent Certification Body to conduct the formal assessment and award the Defence Cyber Certification (DCC).
Shared Values and National Security Roots
Beyond technical compatibility, the partnership is built on a profound alignment of core values and cultural heritage. Both C3IA and Nova Blue boast deep roots within the defence and national security sectors. This background grants both teams an intuitive understanding of the specific, high-level threats faced by the defence supply chain, as well as the unique operational pressures felt by military suppliers.
“Our connection to the Armed Forces is ingrained in the fabric of C3IA Solutions,” said Ian Fowler, Public and Private Sector Account Manager at C3IA. “When looking for a partner to support our clients through the pre-assessment phase, finding an organisation that shared our dedication to national security was essential. Nova Blue’s technical excellence and defence pedigree make them the ideal equal partner. Together, we can deliver a smooth, reliable, and secure pathway to compliance.”
David Collins OBE, Chief Technology Officer at Nova Blue, added: “We believe in building relationships with companies whose values mirror our own. Partnering with C3IA allows us to guide defence suppliers through the entire security improvement journey, building their cyber resilience and giving them the confidence that they are thoroughly prepared before their formal DCC assessment. It is a symbiotic relationship that ultimately delivers a safer supply chain for the UK.”
Through this joint commitment, C3IA and Nova Blue are ensuring that UK defence suppliers are more resilient against cyber threats and do not have to face the complexities of cyber certification alone.
