DSEi 2011: Cassidian unveils cyber strategy details

Cassidian Systems' new cyber warfare division has submitted a series of draft policy papers as it bids to develop an Anglo-French capability, according to CEO Hervé Guillou.

Speaking at DSEi, Guillou announced a first contract for Cassidian's new cyber division, adding that both the UK and French governments were keen to launch an 'MBDA-like' initiative similar to the UK and France's complex weapons cooperation.

Referring to competition from companies including Thales, Guillou said he was confident that Cassidian would be capable of creating such a joint strategy. '

'Cyber is one of four domains in the exchange of letters between Sarkozy and Cameron, the others being air, ground and cyber. We are very keen to be an enabler at industry level but I cannot go any further as we are still relying on government to government talks ongoing now,' he continued.

'We are part of a working group for the UK's cabinet office. The government does not want to spend a lot of that money and they are asking industry to come to table to help share in that. But UK cyber is extremely fragmented,' he warned. 'The only country with a consolidated approach is the US which started 10 years ago. But it is maturing.'

Describing Cassidian's newly dedicated cyber team which was created on 1 August, he said: 'We see some clear signals that this market is changing its dynamics and nature. The threat is no longer teenagers with long hair but organised and extensive high levels of attacks. Since the appearance of nuclear subs, I have never seen such an imbalance between attackers and defenders. There are no real constraints as an attacker,' Guillou stated.