Published 20 Nov 2019

Aviation company Airbus has launched a new initiative in the form of an accelerator programme that seeks to take a more human-focused approach to cybersecurity.

As part of the initiative, the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and various other partners will work together with a team of experts in fields like cognitive psychology and human factors. The aim is to achieve a better comprehension of how cybersecurity can be effectively improved through human-centric approaches. Airbus already established its Newport-based Airbus Cyber Innovation Hub in April this year.

With the aim of helping to make Britain a safer place for cyberspace business, the programme will provide opportunities for qualified university students to apply for placements, with successful candidates forming partnerships with businesses and research teams.

Airbus’s chief information security officer, Dr. Kevin Jones, said:

“With increasingly sophisticated attacks being attempted every day, it simply isn’t possible to protect every user against every cyberattack. We therefore need to think differently and identify ways for security to work with an organization’s people, to better protect against an array of threats. With the right tools and approach, employees can be the strongest link in an organization’s cyber-defence. Our work aims to put people-centric thinking at the heart of an organization’s security and we’re keen to hear from likeminded researchers and organizations who are interested in getting involved with our new Accelerator.”

The NCSC’s technical director, Dr. Ian Levy, said he welcomed the new programme, especially as it positions the human at the core when taking a multidisciplinary approach towards cybersecurity development. He further explained how the NCSC understands how important staff members are in protecting an organisation from cyberattacks and further emphasised the centre’s willingness in being involved with the new programme.

Airbus disclosed in January how it had been targeted by a cyberattack that resulted in personal details being compromised for some employees of its commercial aircraft business. It also needed to take action after many of its suppliers were subjected to cyberattacks. Sources talking to AFP said the perpetrators were seeking to access technical documents associated with the certification procedure for various aircraft components used by Airbus, as well as information on the powerful engines of the A400M, a military transport plane made by Airbus.

At Pro-Networks, we have long advocated a multilayered approach towards cybersecurity. While technology can achieve a lot in protecting an organisation from cyberattacks, it cannot be relied on exclusively. Most cyberattacks are actually facilitated by unwitting or careless staff. As part of our network IT support, though, we can help train your staff to recognise potential cyberattacks and act accordingly.

The third plank of our multilayered approach involves achieving compliance with regulations and standards—such as CyberEssentials, GDPR, and the ISO 27001 global gold standard—so you achieve a culture of best-practice standards throughout your organisation. Only with all of the above can you achieve 360° protection from cyberthreats.

 

 

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