06 April 2025
Picture the scene… a critical IT device goes down in a high-security defence facility. The engineer needs a replacement, and fast. IT support is offline, the help desk is miles away and paperwork delays make retrieval a nightmare. In high-stakes industries like aerospace and defence, downtime isn’t just an inconvenience - it’s a potential security risk. This is where the adoption of smart lockers as part of the IT service and support function can change the game. They are more than just secure storage, they represent a smarter, faster, and more resilient approach to IT asset management.
In an industry where the risk of falling behind the competition can have devastating consequences, Anthony Lamoureux, CEO of Velocity Smart Technology, explains how Smart Lockers can transform IT operations and ready teams for the next era of aerospace and defence operations.
Keeping up with the pace of change
The defence sector is changing and IT departments must keep up. Security is not just about deploying the latest cybersecurity to protect valuable data, the threat to physical security is just as critical. With nation-state attacks on the rise and military operations increasingly reliant on IT infrastructure, protecting hardware is as vital as protecting the sensitive data it can hold.
I find it surprising then, that aerospace and defence businesses still heavily rely on manual asset distribution, which increases the risk of sensitive IT equipment falling into the wrong hands. An unsecured device is a potential security breach which is why many IT departments have strict policies on where devices can be used and connected to secure networks. Whilst understandably necessary, these policies can actually restrict productivity and the response time to deal with a critical situation.
IT must be faster than the mission
Whether employees operate on remote military bases or classified research facilities, defence IT teams must keep the technology operational across vast and often isolated locations. The traditional IT support model of centralised help desks, manual ticketing and human-led distribution is simply too slow to react.
What happens when a critical device fails at 02:00 hours on a secure site? If there is 24/7 IT support available to troubleshoot an issue remotely, OK. However, if the device has failed, waiting for a new device to be distributed just isn’t an option.
We operate in an era where we are happy to self-serve if this gets to a desired solution faster - smart lockers support that rapid, self-service environment. In the crisis scenario of a device failure, employees can get instant access to replacement devices and the IT team can track both the new asset and failed asset so they always know where the assets are, ensuring real-time asset inventory management.
For IT support teams, this means fewer support tickets, faster resolutions and a more resilient IT infrastructure.
Bigger budgets = bigger expectations
Global defence spending is reaching record highs. The UK Government recently committed to raising its defence spending to 2.5% of GDP and European countries are being advised to follow a similar route. The net result is that investment in aerospace and defence technology is increasing.
However, with increased investment comes increased scrutiny and an expectation that operational efficiency will follow. IT leaders need to innovate and look at how they can lower the risk of lost or misplaced IT devices, reduce the time wasted on manual asset tracking or unnecessary device purchases and where existing resources can be reallocated.
If businesses operating in the aerospace and defence industry fail to modernise their IT support and asset management, they are risking falling behind the competition.
A smarter future for defence IT
Aerospace and defence professionals work in some of the most complex yet innovative businesses in the world and therefore expect a seamless, user-friendly experience when dealing with IT support. A slow, frustrating IT process isn’t just an inconvenience for the user, it’s a risk to efficiency and overall employee morale.
With the shift to hybrid and remote working, the demand and expectation for an agile IT department to serve a remote workforce has skyrocketed. Modern-day employees expect frictionless IT support allowing them to self-serve and retrieve devices quickly without waiting for delivery from a member of the IT team. These industries don’t operate on the typical nine-to-five workday, so the IT department needs to support the collection or return of IT equipment at any location at any time. This flexibility is proven to boost employee productivity and satisfaction.
Businesses in the aerospace and defence industry want to operate quickly and smoothly, which means that IT support teams must move even quicker. The old days of manual checkouts, endless support tickets and lost devices aren’t just unsustainable - they’re unacceptable.
Smart lockers can become the backbone of a smarter, more efficient IT support strategy. They enhance security, eliminate inefficiencies, and ensure IT resilience in an unpredictable world.
For IT leaders working in aerospace and defence the choice is clear - embrace smart lockers now or risk falling behind in the next era of aerospace and defence operations.
