The world’s first cyber-security lab to protect Britain’s floating offshore wind turbines has opened.
The Cyber-Resilience of Offshore Wind Networks, CROWN, lab is the first dedicated offshore wind cyber security research, test and development facility anywhere in the world.
It will support investigations into the cyber vulnerability of offshore wind technology and control networks, enabling researchers to replicate hacking attempts and identify defences that need to be deployed.
It will then be used to test new cyber security technologies and develop resilience procedures, security measures, tools and training that can be employed by those working in the industry.
The lab also has two remote operation stations, and will in future host marine autonomous systems to test the security of technologies that will be used to monitor offshore energy installations.
The ambition is for its impact to extend far beyond the energy sector.
It is based at Plymouth University, Devon, as reported by Need To Know.
Dr Kimberly Tam Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and CROWN project lead said: “This lab is focused on the cyber security of the entire offshore wind industry.
“That includes the offshore wind farms themselves but also the larger ecosystem of offshore monitoring and control, and AUVs that are likely to survey remote offshore infrastructure.
“Understanding the larger technological ecosystem in addition to the individual pieces is critical at a time like this, as we become more dependent on these technologies.”
Plymouth MP Luke Pollard added: “Plymouth is a city at the cutting edge of the development of floating offshore wind, and this new facility cements that position, supporting local jobs and opportunities.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in reaching this important milestone.”
The CROWN project was supported by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.
Simon Cheeseman from the group said: “This facility is vital to help ensure cyber security for our offshore wind critical national infrastructure.
“It enables us to work with offshore wind stakeholders and cyber experts to practise scenarios and test protection systems to improve the resilience of the offshore and onshore operations the sector relies on.”
The lab is fully accessible to businesses and external organisations that wish to investigate their systems, as well as technology developers who want to test new tools.
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