The D2S//Platform

D2S offers a containerised platform hosted on MODCloud. Use the D2S//Platform to build, test and deploy secure software as highly available cloud-native services.

The D2S//Platform has a development/test environment for building applications at OFFICIAL classification. It also includes a production environment for deployment at OFFICIAL and SECRET classification levels.

Get started with D2S

The D2S//Platform offers:

You can use the D2S//Platform to deploy and manage your application containers within your D2SNamespace. A D2SNamespace is a grouping of Kubernetes objects and DevSecOps tooling. Each D2SNamespace is isolated at profile and network levels to support a multi-tenancy approach. There is Single Sign-On authentication on the console, the associated platform and DevSecOps tools.

You can use the D2S//Platform to build applications that can be a mix of your own code, open-source and off-the-shelf solutions. You can also migrate existing containerised cloud-native applications for deployment on the D2S//Platform. You can use most modern languages, for example, Java, JavaScript, Go, C# and PHP.

Your application must have through life support and budget. Details are available in the shared responsibility model.

Benefits

  1. Securely deploy applications on assured, highly resilient and scalable infrastructure
    D2S is hosted on MODCloud’s hybrid (private and public) infrastructure. D2S applications can be deployed to virtual and physical locations so that services can be delivered from anywhere.

  2. Automate the build and deployment of applications for speed and agility
    D2S offers a DevSecOps pipeline with built-in automation, security and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) capabilities to shorten development cycles and quickly deploy applications.

  3. Start building your application straight away
    Onboard to the platform by filling in the online form then create a D2SNamespace to start development straight away. You will be provided with guidance and blueprints to start creating your pipeline.

  4. Accelerate software development through the reuse of code and common components
    Having Defence application teams on one central platform lets you share code, software and data. You can use our library of blueprints and the MOD.UK Design System to speed up development.

  5. Reduce your application lifecycle costs
    Developing applications on D2S will be cheaper through their lifecycle because you can share common resources, templates and tools with a broad community of users. Having our security assurance will also save you time and effort.

Pricing

Hand typing numbers on a calculator

D2S cost model

The D2S cost model shows how we calculate prices such as memory and storage, using application sizes of small, medium or large. You can contact the D2S team to discuss what you need.

Verify your identity to access the cost model

What we're working on

D2S is a user-centred service, we take an agile approach to our development so cannot give dates for new releases. The roadmap does not cover everything we do, and may change.

If you have questions or suggestions for new features, contact us.

Contents

Recently shipped

  • Improved the process to request access to the D2S//Platform through the D2S//Portal
  • Improved security, reliability and observability of microservices by using our service mesh
  • Automated processes to renew certificates, removing reliance on manual processes that can cause service outages
  • Private beta SECRET production environment to begin testing processes before public beta release
  • Delivered a ‘Defence Developer Day’ for collaboration, learning and networking across the Defence software development community
  • Introduced change management process for applications deployed to production environments to:
    • ensure changes are made in a secure and stable way
    • protect the platform’s unique Continuous Authority to Operate (CAtO)

Working on now

  • Enhancing secret scanning process and documentation to support application teams in detecting and preventing hardcoded secrets in git repositories
  • Enabling application teams to plug into MOD Core Network’s identity management system and use it within their applications
  • Improving the usability of the D2S//Platform to provide a seamless and intuitive experience, enabling users to complete tasks easily and efficiently
  • Defining the strategy for a future D2S service offering that will help you reuse components, containers and assets across the Defence software development community
  • Discovery on the future of the MOD.UK Design System
  • Helping users to resolve issues through improved error handling and messaging
  • Creating strategy to improve Slack Grid offering across Defence
  • Providing a new plugin for teams to carry out test management within Jira
  • Introducing Sonatype Nexus tooling into DevSecOps pipeline to improve security and empower developers to choose high-quality components early in the development lifecycle
  • Proof of concept for a new mobile device management (MDM) software to improve the security and support for existing MacBook devices
  • Upgrading MOD.UK Design System to GOV.UK Frontend V5 so that users have the latest functionality

Working on next

  • Iteratively improve SECRET production environment, based on user research
  • Build a cross-domain solution wrapper service to enable application teams to more rapidly transfer applications and data from OFFICIAL to SECRET
  • Allow users to sign out of D2S//Portal for improved security and user experience
  • Automate provisioning of DevSecOps tooling during D2SNamespace creation to increase speed to start building applications
  • Implement SaaS version of existing MOD licence management tooling to improve and automate the allocation of licences and improve reporting in D2S
  • Enable D2S//Tools to be accessed via single sign-on (SSO)
  • Provide SaaS tooling at SECRET for S* users to access D2S functionality

Working on in the future

  • Release SECRET production environment to all users
  • Extend functionality of D2S//Portal to cover all D2S service offerings
  • Support applications being deployed on other hosting infrastructure
  • Identify and provide more tools based on user need
  • Introduce a managed support function for existing MacBooks

Security

Shield with a tick in the middle

D2S application assurance process

You benefit from a streamlined security assurance process as it takes less time to complete the traditional MOD JSP 604 assurance.
Group of three people holding hands in a circle

Shared responsibility model

You can use it to understand what you are responsible for and what assurance D2S provides. It simplifies security policies and requirements into a single summary.

Get started with the D2S//Platform

  1. Verify your affiliation with the Ministry of Defence
    The D2S//Platform is not available to the public. You need to verify your identity using Defence Digital or Defence Gateway. If you do not have any of these, instructions will be available.

  2. Request access to the D2S//Platform
    It takes around 8 minutes to complete the registration form.

    If you verified using Defence Digital, you'll have immediate access to the D2S//Platform, but allow up to 48 hours for your work area to be ready.

    If you verified using Defence Gateway, you'll get an email within 48 hours with a sign-in link to the D2S//Platform once your access is granted, and your work area is ready.

  3. Create or join a D2SNamespace
    From the D2S//Platform, connect to the OpenShift web console using your Defence Digital account. You will be able to create a D2SNamespace, or be added to one by your team lead.

    Instructions will be available on the D2S//Platform dashboard.

  4. Explore the D2S//Platform
    You can explore step-by-step guides, tutorials, live help and support from the D2S//Platform dashboard. Once you’re ready, you can start building your application.

Find out more

Contact D2S

If you have any questions about our platform, contact the D2S team (opens in new tab).

Join the D2S community

Join the #d2s-news (opens in new tab) channel and #ext-help-d2s (opens in new tab) Slack channels using your Defence Digital Service account (ending in @digital.mod.uk) or mod.gov.uk account.