Defense & Security

The world is changing fast. Threats are more complex, more connected, and harder to anticipate than ever before. Protecting people, infrastructure, and sovereignty demands systems that don't fail — and partners who understand what's truly at stake.

Defense

Protected, Secure, Safe

The nature of defense has shifted. Today's challenges aren't only fought on traditional battlefields — they play out across digital networks, maritime borders, critical infrastructure, and command centres under pressure. Being ready means having the right technology, built to the highest standards, before you need it.

For over two decades, Critical Software has worked alongside defense forces, coast guards, navies, and government agencies to build the systems they depend on. Not off-the-shelf tools, but mission-critical software engineered to perform in environments where failure is not an option.

Our work is guided by deep technical expertise, rigorous safety and security standards, and a genuine understanding of the operational realities our partners face. From anticipating threats to coordinating responses, we help defense and homeland security organizations stay ahead — protecting what matters most.

Some of the brands that trust us

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Our solutions

How we support you

No two defense organizations face identical challenges. We bring a broad set of capabilities so we can meet you where you are — and build what you actually need.

Software & Product Development

From embedded systems to advanced user interfaces, we design and develop software built to operate reliably in the most demanding defence environments — meeting the highest safety and quality standards throughout.

Safety Assessments & Cyber Security

As threats evolve, so must defenses. We provide comprehensive gap analysis, security assessments, and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited — keeping critical systems and sensitive data secure.

Verification & Validation

When lives depend on your systems working correctly, there's no room for assumptions. Our independent V&V services and test automation give you the confidence that every component performs exactly as required.

Systems Migration

Modernizing legacy infrastructure without disrupting active operations is one of defence's hardest challenges. We plan and execute migrations carefully, ensuring continuity, security, and full compliance at every step.

Reverse Engineering & Integration

Complex defense environments often mean integrating decades of legacy systems with modern platforms. We bridge that gap — reverse engineering existing architectures and delivering seamless, robust system integration.

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Maritime Security Operations

An award-winning maritime security platform built to give operators a complete, real-time picture — and the tools to act on it.
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Resources

Our defence knowledge hub

Browse our white papers and case studies to find out more about the clients we work with and the defence projects we’ve enhanced over the years.

White Papers

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Systems Engineering and Complex Systems Integration

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Using Agile to Develop High-Integrity Systems

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Automated Verification & Validation

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Case Studies

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Safety Assessments for Avionics Modification Programmes

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Automating Closed-Loop Testing

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Get in touch

Can we help secure what matters most?

Whether you need to modernize legacy systems, secure critical infrastructure, or build something entirely new — we're the right team to have in your corner.

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João Pedro Mortágua

Business Development Manager

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Vitor Monteiro Correia

Business Development Manager

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Gonçalo Valadas

Principal Engineer

News

Latest from defense and security

Insights, news, and perspectives from our defense and security team.

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BlogMedical devices

IEC 62304 Edition 2: The Biggest Change in 20 Years Is Coming in August 2026

IEC 62304 Edition 2 is no longer a future concern — it publishes on 12 August 2026. With a major scope expansion to health software, AI lifecycle requirements, and cybersecurity in design control, the window to prepare is shorter than most teams realise.

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BlogMedical devices

5 Reasons SBOMs Are Now a Core Engineering Requirement

From federal mandates to cybersecurity resilience, Software Bills of Materials are no longer a compliance afterthought. Here are five reasons why SBOMs have become a foundational engineering practice — and what your team needs to know to stay ahead.

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BlogEnergy

NIS2 Compliance for Energy Teams

NIS2 is reshaping cybersecurity in the energy sector by shifting responsibility from reactive compliance to secure-by-design engineering. It places emphasis on operational resilience, supply chain oversight, strict incident reporting timelines, and executive accountability, requiring engineering teams to integrate security into system architecture from the start.

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BlogMedical devices

Industry Voices: The CRA Deadline Is Closer Than You Think and Your SBOM Alone Won't Save You

The EU Cyber Resilience Act is redefining software supply chain security by turning SBOMs from static compliance documents into continuous governance requirements. In this interview, RunSafe Security CTO Shane Fry explains why organizations must adopt build-time provenance, continuous vulnerability monitoring, and lifecycle SBOM management to meet CRA obligations and reduce cybersecurity risk.

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BlogFinancial services

Are You Ready for the Digital Euro?

The ECB’s digital euro pilot is underway, but the real challenge lies beyond the selected institutions. Thousands of banks and PSPs will need to integrate, and those treating it as a future compliance task risk falling behind. This article explores why integration is a structural engineering problem—and how to prepare before the 2029 rollout.

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BlogEnergy

The Biggest Challenge in Grid Modernization Isn’t Technology

At IEEE PES T&D 2026, the energy industry made one thing clear: the biggest challenge in grid modernization is no longer technology itself, but building interoperable, AI-assisted, and cyber-resilient systems capable of operating reliably at scale in an increasingly decentralized and continuously connected grid.

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BlogEnergy

What Energy Engineering Teams Must Prepare For

The EU Cyber Resilience Act is redefining cybersecurity as a mandatory product requirement for connected devices and industrial systems. Energy engineering teams must now address secure-by-design development, vulnerability management, secure updates, and supply chain visibility to maintain compliance and market access.

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BlogAutomotive

Driving Portugal’s Autonomous Vehicle Revolution

With new legislation enacted in 2026, Portugal emerges as a key destination for autonomous vehicle testing, fostering innovation, safety validation, and global collaboration.

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BlogFinancial services

Stablecoins: A Threat to The Digital Euro?

Stablecoins and the digital euro are often compared, but they serve different purposes. While stablecoins offer programmability and global reach, the digital euro promises stability, legal certainty, and public control. This article explores whether stablecoins truly threaten Europe’s future digital currency—or instead act as a complementary force in the evolving payments landscape.

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BlogMedical devices

Industry Voices: How Robotics Is Transforming the Medical Domain, Insights From QNX

Medical robotics are evolving from specialized machines into connected, software-defined platforms. QNX explains how real-time performance, cybersecurity, and integration are reshaping healthcare systems and accelerating innovation in clinical environments.