Secure or perhaps expedient (8)
I believe the answer is:
resource
'expedient' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'secure or perhaps' is the wordplay.
'perhaps' indicates an anagram.
'secure'+'or'='secureor'
'secureor' anagrammed gives 'RESOURCE'.
(Other definitions for resource that I've seen before include "Reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed" , "Available supply reserve" , "Expedient - supply for use" , "Possibility of help" , "Means of help in project" .)