Introduction

In an era where digital sovereignty and operational resilience define national power, AIC stands at the intersection of technology, defence, and intelligence. Our integrated project suite—CITADEL, SIGIL, SHACE, BASTION, and VANGUARD—forms a cohesive defence technology ecosystem designed to protect, empower, and modernise the UK’s mission systems. Each project is built on a foundation of technical excellence and strategic foresight, leveraging modern cloud infrastructure, post-quantum cryptography, and simulation‑driven insight to enhance mission readiness.

1. CITADEL — Secure Licensing and Software Integrity

CITADEL introduces a new paradigm in software assurance. Built for defence-grade licensing, it employs ECDSA‑based cryptography, tamper‑evident activation, and policy‑aware validation to ensure integrity across every deployment. CITADEL aligns with NCSC and ISO 27001 standards, enabling offline, cloud‑linked, and hybrid activation workflows. With integrations across Azure Key Vault and .NET 9’s native crypto stack, it ensures that every byte of deployed code remains authentic, traceable, and secure.

In a world of escalating software supply chain threats, CITADEL represents assurance at source—an immutable handshake between code and command.

2. SIGIL — UK Classification Metadata Framework

SIGIL automates UK Government classification tagging across OFFICIAL, SECRET, and TOP SECRET levels. Designed for use in Microsoft Purview Information Protection and SharePoint Online, SIGIL ensures compliant data handling without human error. Every file, dataset, and message receives structured metadata aligned with MOD information security policy (JSP 604 and JSP 441). This automation enforces data lineage, caveat propagation, and policy enforcement from user desktop to secure enclave.

For data custodians, SIGIL transforms compliance into confidence—embedding governance directly into the digital fabric of defence organisations.

3. SHACE — High‑Assurance Cryptographic Endpoint

As network perimeters dissolve and mission systems move to the edge, SHACE defines the next frontier in cryptographic assurance. Running on Raspberry Pi hardware with hardened Windows IoT, SHACE enforces selective packet encryption, FIDO2 seed generation, and post‑quantum crypto readiness. Its architecture supports edge‑to‑edge and in‑chain configurations, forming trusted tunnels between command infrastructure and field nodes. SHACE bridges Azure Service Bus and AWS SNS/SQS to sanitise and relay messages through AIC’s dual‑cloud clean/dirty pipeline.

For critical infrastructure operators, SHACE acts as both shield and sentinel—maintaining integrity even under contested conditions.

4. BASTION — Cyber Hardening for Critical Infrastructure

BASTION is AIC’s cyber resilience engine. It combines Zero‑Trust Network Architecture (ZTNA), SIEM/SOAR orchestration, and continuous monitoring to defend the most valuable digital terrain: the systems underpinning national infrastructure. Built atop Azure Sentinel and Elastic Security, BASTION’s framework unifies telemetry, policy, and automation to detect, isolate, and recover from sophisticated threats. Red‑team collaboration and executive reporting ensure that security maturity evolves in lockstep with mission demand.

BASTION embodies AIC’s philosophy of resilience by design—a living, adaptive cyber architecture that turns defence into deterrence.

5. VANGUARD — VBS Simulation Systems Consulting

VANGUARD merges realism and readiness. As the UK’s trusted consultancy for Bohemia Interactive Simulations’ Virtual Battlespace (VBS) ecosystem, AIC provides end‑to‑end scenario design, performance tuning, and analytics integration. By connecting VBS telemetry to Power BI and Azure Data Explorer, VANGUARD enables command staff to quantify trainee performance, identify cognitive load, and replay mission data with geospatial precision.

Through digital twin methodology and real‑time data fusion, VANGUARD turns simulation into insight—accelerating readiness while reducing cost and complexity.

6. The Integrated Vision — Where Technology Becomes Strategy

Together, CITADEL, SIGIL, SHACE, BASTION, and VANGUARD represent a holistic approach to national resilience. They interlock: secure software (CITADEL) distributes within classified domains (SIGIL), across encrypted networks (SHACE), defended by adaptive cybersecurity (BASTION), and validated through simulation (VANGUARD). This integration realises AIC’s principle of “Mission‑grade software, delivered”—technologies that are interoperable, sovereign, and sustainable.

Our approach embraces modularity, allowing each capability to stand alone or interoperate within an existing defence IT estate. Whether deployed in air‑gapped networks, hybrid clouds, or NATO‑connected federations, AIC’s solutions scale from single‑site operations to theatre‑level data fusion.

7. Commercial & Strategic Relevance

Beyond defence, these technologies underpin secure enterprise transformation. CITADEL’s licensing model aligns with Microsoft’s software monetisation frameworks. SIGIL’s metadata engine complements Purview Compliance initiatives. SHACE’s edge encryption aligns with Azure IoT Security. BASTION’s threat intelligence model supports CNI operators under NCSC’s CNI protection framework. VANGUARD’s simulation analytics apply equally to smart manufacturing, disaster response, and digital twin ecosystems.

Each component can be procured individually or delivered as part of a unified modernisation programme through AIC’s Defence Digital Integration offering.

8. Conclusion — Engineering Confidence

AIC’s integrated defence technologies exemplify engineering excellence shaped by operational experience. They are not conceptual tools—they are working, deployable capabilities built in collaboration with defence, government, and private sector partners. From cryptographic assurance to simulation realism, each system advances the mission of protecting critical information and ensuring national advantage.

To explore partnership opportunities or request a technical briefing, visit https://aicuk.ltd. The mission is clear: integrate, secure, and advance.