Eurocontrol (in full, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation) has awarded the cyber and defence product company Thales two contracts: for cybersecurity of its information systems and, with Cegeka, a Belgian information technology company, to support its move to digital.
Thales has five main markets: aerospace, space, ground transportation, defence and security. One of Thales’s five Cybersecurity Operations Centres (CSOCs) will provide 24/7 monitoring of the Eurocontrol’s IT infrastructure. Thales says that its cyber detection and risk management services will enable Eurocontrol to anticipate risks, detect threats early and actively prevent attacks on its systems.
Thales will provide tools and services for cyber preparedness and protection. The Thales Cyberlab in Belgium will replicate Eurocontrol’s networks and IT systems to test their resilience to the most sophisticated forms of cyberattacks.
Under a separate contract, Thales will advise Eurocontrol on the development of “cyber-native” digital applications to optimise air traffic capacities and flows while maximising flight and passenger safety.
Eammon Brennan, Director General of Eurocontrol, said: “Universal cyber best practice calls for sound, layered security defences. With their proven track record in IT, combined with their insider’s knowledge of ATM, we are confident that Thales can give us the service we need to protect the business we run for our aviation stakeholders.”
Brussels-based Eurocontrol points out that the European Commission Network Manager Implementing Rule contains security requirements and, as a provider of essential services – as well as being categorised as European critical infrastructure in Belgium and France – it’s obliged to take information security protective measures.
Pictured left to right are Alain Quévrin, Country Director Belgium and Luxembourg at Thales Belgium, and Eamonn Brennan.
