Improve your digital performance and transformative journey
Strengthen resilience, enhance cybersecurity and accelerate digital maturity for increased efficiency and protection with our digital pathway, purpose-built for aerospace and defence companies. Get started now
Helping you to thrive in an increasingly complex digital future
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors face unique challenges. Growing cyber threats, complex supply chains and increasing regulatory demands make digital maturity essential. Organisations that optimise digital processes and strengthen cyber security can improve operational efficiency, safeguard critical assets and maintain a competitive edge.
Our structured pathway helps you build secure, resilient capabilities that meet compliance standards, protect systems and data from evolving digital threats. With tailored tools and our maturity framework, we guide you in achieving resilience and compliance, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring long-term growth.
Who we can help:
- Manufacturers: Guidance for secure and efficient digital operations in production environments
- Software providers: Standards for integrating cybersecurity into digital solutions, or recommendations for integrating their solutions into the aerospace and defence sectors.
- Logistics and Supply Chain Partners: Protocols for secure data exchange and digital logistics
- Consultants and service providers: Resources to support clients in advancing their digital and cybersecurity competencies
Digital Pathway - reflecting maturity from bronze, silver or gold
Measure your journey towards digital transformation with our self assessment tool
Embark on your digital maturity journey. The starting point is to complete our Digital Assessment Tool. Answer a series of self-assessment questions to determine Bronze, Silver or Gold status. An instant report provides detailed analysis identifying quick wins and priority areas. This helpful tool can also help customers when benchmarking the capability of their supply chain.The assessment focuses on
Formalised controls | Integrated systems | Governance structure | Digital Workflows Go to assessmentsA guide to GHG reporting for aerospace and defence SMEs
Measuring and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is foundational for a sustainable future. This comprehensive guide provides practical insights, step by step instructions and a worked example for both mandatory and voluntary GHG reporting.
View reportSocial Value in Defence
The MoD, ADS and industry partners, have created a Social Value 101 guide to show ‘What good looks like’ for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the defence sector when undertaking Government procurement procedures.
View reportAccess to finance services in the UK
ADS and UK Finance have collaborated on an Access to Finance Guide: aiming to ensure defence and security businesses have the tools and knowledge they need to innovate, scale and grow.
View reportNews, insights and upcoming events
New cyber framework built for SMEs
Our scalable best-practice framework strengthens digital maturity across five critical areas: Business (strategic alignment), Data (integrity and compliance), Applications (secure integration), Technology (reliable infrastructure) and Security (threat protection). This structured approach ensures resilience, operational efficiency and compliance, empowering organisations to thrive in a secure digital landscape.
Fast-track your way to ISO 27001 and NCSC compliance
Our practical framework gives your business a clear, step-by-step path to align with leading standards including:
- Cybersecurity Frameworks: eg ISO27001, NCSC guidelines
- Aero Excellence Framework: for operational best practices
- Broader supply chain and maturity models.
Designed for SMEs, it removes the guesswork, reduces complexity and speeds up your journey to trusted recognised cyber resilience.
FAQs
What is the purpose of the Digital Pillar Assessment?
The assessment is designed to help organisations evaluate and improve their digital and cybersecurity maturity. By identifying strengths and areas for improvement across key architecture areas, the assessment provides a roadmap for achieving compliance, operational resilience, and cybersecurity readiness.
Who should complete the assessment?
The assessment is best completed by a cross-functional team with representatives from IT, cybersecurity, data management, compliance, and executive leadership. Involving multiple departments ensures a comprehensive view of your organisation’s digital and cybersecurity capabilities.
What does each maturity level mean?
The 0–3 scale is used to assess each capability’s level of maturity:
- 0 – Not Considered: No practices are in place.
- 1 – Defined: Initial planning or awareness exists, but practices are limited.
- 2 – Managed: Policies and processes are implemented, and practices are operational.
- 3 – Optimised: Practices are fully embedded, continuously reviewed, and improved.
How long does it take to complete the assessment?
The duration will vary depending on the size and complexity of the organisation. For smaller organisations, the assessment may take a few hours, while larger organisations may require multiple sessions over several days to complete a thorough evaluation.
Can the assessment results be shared with external stakeholders?
Assessment results can be shared if they align with the organisation’s goals and transparency requirements. The findings may serve as evidence of the organisation’s digital maturity and commitment to cybersecurity, potentially strengthening partnerships with clients, investors, and regulators.
