Finmeccanica-Selex ES and the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT), a key partner of the United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union (ITU), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) to work together on strategic initiatives that will boost international defenses against cyber attacks.

The agreement will see Finmeccanica-Selex ES and ITU-IMPACT exchanging information regarding cyber threats and vulnerabilities, as well as engaging in joint capacity-building activities.

The expected outcome from this partnership includes improved cyber security across ITU-IMPACT’s partner countries against cyber threats and malicious activities.

Over the past few years, cyber attacks around the world have become highly sophisticated, higher-profile and increasingly widespread, with state organizations and international corporations falling victim. At a more subtly damaging level, there are potentially thousands of other cybercrime incidents which go unreported and unnoticed across businesses and organizations of all sizes.

This partnership will allow Finmeccanica - Selex ES and ITU-IMPACT to pool their respective expertise, facilities and resources to address these threats across ITU Member States and help protect national critical infrastructures.

Earlier this month (04 June 2014), Finmeccanica - Selex ES inaugurated the company’s new Cyber Security Centre of Excellence (photo) in Chieti, Italy, in the presence of the Minister of the Interior Hon Angelino Alfano.

The Centre is a physical representation of Finmeccanica – Selex ES’s extensive technological capabilities in computer security. The centre is supported by the company’s major investments in the cyber domain - an area that has become a worldwide priority.

One of the fundamental objectives of Finmeccanica – Selex ES is to define a strategic model for cyber security which will not only meet Europe's needs but also support the development of Italy’s digital agenda. This model will bring together the group’s skills and unique technologies to strengthen the abilities of government customers and individuals to respond to evolving cyber threats.

The Cyber Security Centre of Excellence at Chieti comprises the Security Operation Centre (SOC) and the Open Source Intelligence Centre (OSIC) where the Supercalculator (high performance computer) is housed. Through these centers, Finmeccanica - Selex ES provides security and cyber intelligence services for protection against cyber attacks.