A cutting-edge cyber security laboratory has recently been inaugurated in Cheltenham, near GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence agency.
The facility spans over 5,000 sq ft (464 sq meters), and the firm behind it, IOActive claims it to be the first privately-owned lab of its size anywhere in the world.
The company says in a statement that, “IOActive is thrilled to announce the grand opening of our newest addition, a purpose-built cybersecurity testing facility in Cheltenham UK. The facility is over 5200 square feet of dedicated secure office space, and equipment supporting the assessment/testing of IIoT, IoT, OT, ICS, SCADA and embedded devices.”
"With the opening of the new state-of-the-art facility – IOActive continues to build on our global footprint for lab facilities and expands our testing capabilities. We continue to strive to connect with the cybersecurity/research communities, as we follow our vision to making the world a safer place: conducting the research that fuels our security services to help you strengthen your security and operational posture and resiliency," the firm added.
The lab’s prime goal is to test vulnerability of vehicles, private jets, and aircraft engines. With this, the laboratory aims on strengthening industrial systems against malicious cyber activities.
By carefully navigating a cherry picker inside the lab's expansive facilities at the launch event, the facility demonstrated its capabilities and implied its ability to support extensive testing.
Securing Industrial Control Systems
IOActive further acknowledged threats pertaining to a vulnerable industrial control systems of being hacked. They noted that there is a need for safeguarding interfaces between controllers and devices. Ivan Reedman, Director of Secure Engineering at IOActive also emphasized the potential appalling consequences and negligence on the issue may lead to, one being compromised systems.
He stressed on the significance of establishing robust security measures to protect these critical systems. The lab's focus on ensuring the integrity and resilience of industrial control systems marks a significant step towards fortifying them against evolving cyber threat.
Significance of the Laboratory
The creation of the cyber security lab represents an important step toward the larger goal of creating a cyber park on the outskirts of Cheltenham, close to GCHQ. With the aid of necessary infrastructure including healthcare, housing, and recreational areas, this envisioned cyber park aspires to foster cyber-related enterprises and educational activities.
The development of the park would produce a vast ecosystem that fosters creativity, teamwork, and the advancement of cybersecurity expertise. The laboratory is an important first step in achieving this goal and reaffirms Cheltenham's status as a center for cutting-edge cybersecurity research and development.
Inauguration of the state-of-the-art cyber security laboratory in Cheltenham further ensures a significant boost in safeguarding important systems against violent cyber threats. Securing automobiles, aircraft, and industrial control systems becomes crucial in a time of a rapid technological advancement. The advancement of the safety and integrity of these systems depends critically on the laboratory's capacity to carry out extensive testing and spot flaws. The cybersecurity sector has made incredible strides in making the world a safer place by committing to strengthening interfaces and resolving vulnerabilities.