Security & Defence PLuS
Security & Defence PLuS is an academic policy program of the PLuS Alliance (ASU, King's College London, UNSW Sydney) that publishes open-access essays, the AUKUS Briefing Book, and events supporting research and policy for the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersTempe, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Security & Defence PLuS does
Security & Defence PLuS is an academic research and policy analysis program operated as the flagship security initiative of the PLuS Alliance, a tri-continental consortium of Arizona State University, King's College London, and the University of New South Wales. The program was established in its current AUKUS-focused form in 2021 to advance research, education, and policy that supports the statecraft objectives of the AUKUS trilateral security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Its portfolio consists of the AUKUS Briefing Book (a core analytical resource on nuclear-powered submarines and advanced military capabilities), an Essays & Commentary Platform hosting scholarly articles organized by topic and country, the Emerging Voices Series highlighting next-generation researchers, Research & Development programs including a Seed Grant Scheme, and Educational Offerings.
The program's technology footprint is intentionally minimal: it is a knowledge-publishing platform rather than a software product. Content is delivered through a self-hosted website (securityanddefenceplus.plusalliance.org), with amplification across LinkedIn, Twitter/X, YouTube (event recordings), and a Mailchimp-distributed newsletter. The website is WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliant and SSL-secured, but there is no proprietary platform architecture, no APIs or SDKs, and no AI/ML technology stack disclosed.
The business model is non-commercial. Security & Defence PLuS does not generate revenue from product sales, subscriptions, or licensing; all essays, research papers, and the AUKUS Briefing Book are freely accessible without registration. The program is funded institutionally by its three founding universities, with ASU serving as the website host and primary legal entity under U.S. and Arizona law. The audience is composed of academic researchers, government and defence policymakers, and students in the AUKUS countries, reached through a community-led go-to-motion centered on thought-leadership content, events at the three partner campuses, and a Write For Us submission program that onboards external contributors.
Security & Defence PLuS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Security & Defence PLuS
- Legal name
- Arizona State University (ASU) for PLuS Alliance
- Website
- https://securityanddefenceplus.plusalliance.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Security & Defence PLuS is an academic policy program of the PLuS Alliance (ASU, King's College London, UNSW Sydney) that publishes open-access essays, the AUKUS Briefing Book, and events supporting research and policy for the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Security & Defence PLuS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defence Policy Research and Analysis
- NAICS
- International Affairs (928120), National Security and International Affairs (928), National Security (928110)
- SIC
- International Affairs (9721), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Security Diplomacy & Defense Cooperation (Arms Control, Counterterrorism) (BPAIAIAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Security Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Advisory (BPAKADAG)
Keywords
Where Security & Defence PLuS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tempe
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Security & Defence PLuS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Institutional Funding: Security & Defence PLuS is the flagship program of the PLuS Alliance, funded by its three university members: Arizona State University, King's College London, and the University of New South Wales. As an academic initiative, it operates on institutional support rather than commercial revenue generation.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Security & Defence PLuS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Security & Defence PLuS is an academic research and policy analysis program that publishes essays, research papers, commentaries, and the AUKUS Briefing Book focused on the AUKUS trilateral security partnership and Indo-Pacific strategy. The organization also runs the Emerging Voices Series for next-generation scholars, operates a Seed Grant Scheme for research funding, and provides educational offerings on security and defence topics. All content is freely accessible without registration or paywall.
Product overview
Security & Defence PLuS is a research and knowledge platform operated by the PLuS Alliance (Arizona State University, King's College London, and UNSW Sydney). The platform provides a collection of scholarly essays, the AUKUS Briefing Book, and educational resources focused on security and defence policy, particularly regarding the AUKUS trilateral partnership. The portfolio consists of the AUKUS Briefing Book (core analytical resource), Essays & Commentary Platform (collection of academic research), Emerging Voices Series (early-career scholar content), Research & Development programs, and Educational Offerings. This is not a commercial software product but rather an academic publication and research dissemination platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AUKUS Briefing Book A comprehensive briefing resource on the AUKUS trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, providing analysis on nuclear-powered submarines and advanced military capabilities. Targeted at policy makers, researchers, and defence professionals.
- Essays & Commentary Platform A collection of academic essays, research articles, and commentary covering security and defence topics including AUKUS, space domain deterrence, economic security, and subnational diplomacy. Targeted at academics, policy makers, and students.
- Emerging Voices Series A scholarly series highlighting next-generation researchers and practitioners shaping thinking on strategy, security, and defence, exploring topics from subnational diplomacy to critical infrastructure. Targeted at early-career scholars and emerging policy thinkers.
- Seed Grant Scheme Research funding program advancing scholarship on security and defence policy, with focus on AUKUS partnership and Indo-Pacific strategic considerations. Provides seed grants to researchers for projects aligned with the program's mission.
- Educational Offerings Learning programs and professional military education resources covering security, defence studies, and strategic affairs. Targeted at students and professionals seeking to deepen understanding of security and defence issues.
Companies that use Security & Defence PLuS
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Security & Defence PLuS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Security & Defence PLuS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Arizona State UniversitycoreArizona State University is one of the three founding university members of the PLuS Alliance, which created Security & Defence PLuS as its flagship security and defence program. ASU hosts the website on behalf of the PLuS Alliance. The university provides academic infrastructure, research capabilities, and hosts events including Emerging Voices Series sessions.
- King's College LondoncoreKing's College London is one of the three founding university members of the PLuS Alliance. The Defence Studies Department at King's College London provides expertise in security and defence studies, with scholars like Dr. Zeno Leoni and Dr. Sarah Tzinieris contributing to Security & Defence PLuS content.
- University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)coreUNSW Sydney is one of the three founding university members of the PLuS Alliance. Dr. David Kilcullen serves as Professor of International and Political Studies at UNSW and contributes expertise in counterterrorism, special operations, and Indo-Pacific security to Security & Defence PLuS.
- AUKUS Partnership (Australia, United Kingdom, United States)flagshipSecurity & Defence PLuS was established to enhance the statecraft of AUKUS countries by leveraging academic scholarship and research. The organization produces the AUKUS Briefing Book and seventeen trilateral working groups inform the research agenda. The focus is on nuclear-powered submarines and advanced military capabilities under the 2021 AUKUS agreement.
- Phoenix Committee on Foreign RelationsminorDr. Lily McElwee, contributor to Security & Defence PLuS, is President and CEO of the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations. This organization advances Arizona's role in global affairs and champions subnational diplomacy, aligning with Security & Defence PLuS's focus on statecraft and policy.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Security & Defence PLuS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- RAND Corporation: A large, established US research institution producing defence and security policy analysis globally. Comparable as a producer of rigorous defence scholarship but far broader in scope and more commercially structured than Security & Defence PLuS.
- Chatham House: A UK-based international affairs think tank producing analysis across global security and foreign policy. Comparable in policy-research posture and UK-base overlap with the King's College London node of the PLuS Alliance.
- Brookings Institution: A major US policy research organization covering foreign policy, defence, and international security among many other areas. Comparable in combining academic rigor with policy engagement but operates at far greater scale and breadth than Security & Defence PLuS.
Emerging players
- Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations: A subnational foreign affairs organization advancing Arizona's role in global affairs. Comparable to Security & Defence PLuS in focus on statecraft and subnational diplomacy, and explicitly linked through a shared contributor.
Direct peers
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): A global think tank producing authoritative analysis on international security, military capabilities, and strategic competition. Directly comparable to Security & Defence PLuS on AUKUS-related defence analysis and global audience reach.
- Atlantic Council: A US-based think tank with substantial programming on transatlantic and Indo-Pacific security. Comparable in combining academic-policy analysis with active event series and contributor networks spanning AUKUS capitals.
- Lowy Institute: An Australian international affairs think tank producing research on foreign policy, security, and Indo-Pacific strategy. Closely aligned with Security & Defence PLuS on Australia-led analysis of AUKUS and regional strategic competition.
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): A major US bipartisan policy research organization with substantial AUKUS, Indo-Pacific, and transatlantic security programs. Comparable to Security & Defence PLuS in combining rigorous academic research with policymaker engagement.
- Royal United Services Institute (RUSI): A UK-based defence and security studies institute producing research, commentary, and events on strategic policy. Closely aligned with Security & Defence PLuS on UK-AUKUS analysis, defence scholarship, and engagement with defence policymakers.
- Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI): A leading Australian think tank producing policy analysis on AUKUS, Indo-Pacific security, and critical technologies. Directly comparable to Security & Defence PLuS as a research-driven policy organization focused on the same AUKUS trilateral agenda.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Security & Defence PLuS social profiles
Digital presenceSecurity & Defence PLuS compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Security & Defence PLuS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Security & Defence PLuS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Security & Defence PLuS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Security & Defence PLuS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Security & Defence PLuS
What does Security & Defence PLuS do?
Security & Defence PLuS is an academic research and policy analysis program that publishes essays, research papers, commentaries, and the AUKUS Briefing Book focused on the AUKUS trilateral security partnership and Indo-Pacific strategy. The organization also runs the Emerging Voices Series for next-generation scholars, operates a Seed Grant Scheme for research funding, and provides educational offerings on security and defence topics. All content is freely accessible without registration or paywall.
Is Security & Defence PLuS a public or private company?
Security & Defence PLuS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Security & Defence PLuS founded?
Security & Defence PLuS was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Security & Defence PLuS based?
Security & Defence PLuS is headquartered in Tempe, United States, in the North America region.
How does Security & Defence PLuS make money?
One revenue line is on record: institutional Funding.
Who are Security & Defence PLuS's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are RAND Corporation, Chatham House and Brookings Institution. Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Atlantic Council, Lowy Institute, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).
Does Security & Defence PLuS have an API?
No public API is recorded for Security & Defence PLuS.
What industry is Security & Defence PLuS in?
Security & Defence PLuS's product category is Defence Policy Research and Analysis. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAIAH, Security Diplomacy & Defense Cooperation (Arms Control, Counterterrorism), with a secondary code of BPAKADAG, Security Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Advisory. Its NAICS code is 928120 and its SIC code is 9721.