How defence manufacturers are tackling cybersecurity challenges

In April 2023, Thales and a group of 10 French cybersecurity firms launched a shared cyber intelligence and threat detection platform. The companies include Atos, Filigran, GeoTrend, Glimps, Harfanglab, KORLabs Cybersecurity, Sekoia, SnowPack, the Institut Mines-Telecom, and INP Grenoble. The platform aims to provide cyber threat intelligence services to companies and government entities.  

The cyber intelligence platform offers services through a single system. These include a national database, which serves as a centralized location for data collected from various sources within a specific country. This database allows for the exploitation of threat intelligence in a trusted cloud environment. Additionally, an analysis service is provided to offer insights into threats at any given time. Furthermore, data analytics are utilized to reveal trends and make projections.  

The platform aims to reduce the cost of accessing cyber threat intelligence and responding to attacks, increase users’ confidence in information systems, and support cyber sovereignty by using French solutions. 

The shared cyber intelligence and threat detection platform is expected to pave the way for new standards recognized in Europe and internationally. The data collected from the platform members and the user community will lay the foundations for a new National Cyber Situation Analysis Centre. This project could support EU-wide autonomy in producing and using cyber intelligence data, threat detection capabilities, and information sharing between different regional entities. The project is supported by the French government under the France 2030 investment plan and national cyber strategy. 

Due to cyberattacks aimed at military operations, Viasat, a US satellite communications company, is at risk of compromising sensitive information and losing control over weapon systems. For example, on the day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a cyberattack disrupted broadband satellite internet access. This attack disrupted Viasat’s communication network, which supplies internet access to tens of thousands of people in Ukraine and Europe, including the military.   

Clavister, a new player in the defense sector, is developing cyber armor for military platforms on land, at sea, and in the air to protect and build resilience against cyber sabotage and malware. In early 2024, the development of the new cyber armor product commenced.  

Deliveries will start in 2025 and continue for five years under the contract between Clavister and BAE Systems for the CV90 platform – an armored combat vehicle. Powered with Clavister’s Netwall RSG-400 (a durable firewall), the cyber armor system will serve as a military-grade security gateway.  

Clavister’s cyber armor aims to protect against cyberattacks on highly digitized defense platforms, such as the CV90 platform, which will serve as a military-grade security gateway. This will enhance the durability of the CV90 platform on the battlefield by providing advanced cyber protection against sophisticated cyberattacks.  

The cyber armor will employ various technologies and strategies, such as AI, to analyze large volumes of data. It will also detect, prevent, and mitigate cyber threats and offensive and defensive cyber solutions to counter and defend against cyberattacks.   

US smart gun technology start-up Biofire Technologies introduced the Smart Gun in March 2024, a 9mm handgun that incorporates fingerprint and facial recognition biometrics to ensure that only authorized users can fire the weapon. The gun is designed to be both secure and easily accessible for authorized users.  

The Biofire Smart Gun employs fingerprint identification and 3D infrared facial recognition systems. These systems independently verify a user's identity, unlocking the firearm for use. The gun is designed to work in various conditions, including when the user is wearing gloves or a face covering.  

The firearm immediately locks when it leaves an authorized user's hand, and integrated infra-red (IR) sensors in the grip keep the firearm armed while an authorized user is holding it. The gun also features a lithium-ion battery that can last for several months.  

A Smart Dock provides an interface for the owner to add and remove trusted users. The technology aims to prevent unauthorized access, thereby reducing the risk of accidental shootings or misuse.