Friday 18 February 2022
Queen’s University Belfast has joined a prestigious network of cybersecurity scientists who are working to strengthen Rolls-Royce’s response to cyber threats.
Power and propulsion systems
The Rolls-Royce Cyber Technology Network was unveiled in 2020. The research network, which Queen’s has now joined, is focused on enhancing product security for the company's power and propulsion systems.
Rolls-Royce is committed to staying ahead of emerging threats and its customers rely on the company to defend them against those threats and remain cyber-resilient.
To achieve this, the company must remain vigilant and agile as it evolves its security systems. This research network will help to keep Rolls-Royce at the cutting-edge of product cybersecurity.
Two universities, Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana, and Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have already joined the network and research projects are under way.
Next generation programmes
Bringing a UK facility into the network will allow Rolls-Royce to extend the innovative developments already being explored in cyber technology research to an international scale and could help to inform cybersecurity thinking for next generation programmes such as Tempest.
Phil Townley, Director Future Programmes, Rolls-Royce Defence said: “Across Rolls-Royce we are committed to staying ahead of emerging threats and our customers rely on us to defend them against those threats and remain cyber-resilient. To achieve this, we must remain vigilant and agile as we evolve our security systems. This research network will help to keep Rolls-Royce at the cutting-edge of product cybersecurity.
"We have already seen proven benefits from the organisations we have collaborated with in the US, and I am looking forward to extending this network within the UK and utilising the expertise that Queen’s University will offer us.”
Professor Máire O’Neill, Director at the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) based at Queen’s University, added: “We are delighted to join this prestigious network of cybersecurity scientists working to strengthen Rolls-Royce response to emerging and sophisticated cyber threats.
“CSIT brings a wealth of expertise to the group which will complement the research projects already underway at Carnegie Mellon University and Purdue University.”
Challenges
The technology research network is expected to conduct two to three Rolls-Royce funded projects with each school per year. All three schools have research projects under way with nearly half starting at the beginning of this year. In total, there are more than 10 separate projects that cover four broad topic areas.
The network will not only benefit Rolls-Royce’s defence business but will also address the cybersecurity challenges across wider business areas including civil aerospace.
Alan Newby, director aerospace technology and future programmes for Rolls-Royce civil aerospace business said: “Customers trust Rolls-Royce to design, produce, and service secure products; both today and in the future as global systems continue to become digitally connected and interdependent.
"The research we are pursuing as part of this network is group wide and will be applicable and provide cross over benefits to all Rolls-Royce businesses from the newly created Electrical and SMR organisations to Civil Aerospace and Power Systems.”