Ayesa Digital provides technical assistance to INTA in a strategic cybersecurity project
“Cyber OT” encompasses technological developments in areas such as logistics 4.0, mobility and drone threat management
Ayesa Digital is collaborating with the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) on a project to develop technologies in strategic sectors for security and defence. The public body has awarded it the technical assistance service for the “Cyber OT” project.
This project, which is based at the La Marañosa technology institute in Madrid, focuses on cybersecurity in critical sectors such as logistics 4.0, autonomous and connected mobility, and drone threat management. It will operate in OT (operations) and IT (information) networks, and Ayesa is one of the few cybersecurity service providers specialising in both technology segments.
The company will be responsible for providing technical assistance for the various developments planned within the framework of “Cyber OT”. Specifically, the project envisages a system for recognising attack patterns in OT/IT networks using machine learning techniques. A tool for recognition, vulnerability analysis and profiling of OT networks will also be developed.
There are also plans to develop an automatic security audit system, guided by artificial intelligence and adaptable to the field of cyberattacks on IT/OT networks; and to conduct a study of cryptographic vulnerabilities in commonly used IoT protocols and compile identification and attack methods and tools.
Finally, there are plans to develop a Cyber Range platform to simulate OT/IT network environments, carry out security tests and facilitate the training and education of technical personnel.
Disruptive technologies
Cyber OT will rely on disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, Big Data and advanced analytics. In addition, programming languages, Large Language Models (LLM) and container technologies (Kubernetes and Docker) will be implemented. Also noteworthy is the technique of pentesting, also known as penetration testing, which consists of simulating an attack on a software or hardware system with the aim of finding vulnerabilities to prevent external attacks.
According to Miguel Ángel Fernández, Director of Digital Administration at Ayesa, this project ‘consolidates our position as a technology partner at INTA; strengthens and expands our references and competencies in cybersecurity in the General State Administration; and allows us to develop and acquire knowledge in cybersecurity in strategic sectors in the field of defence’.
Cyber OT will be developed within the framework of the Technology Development and Experimentation Centre (Cetedex), which is part of INTA and is currently being built in Jaén. With a budget of €222 million, it is set to become a centre of excellence in research into key defence technologies, a catalyst for technological development and a driver of dual capabilities. Its aims also include facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology between the Ministry of Defence, universities, companies, and technology and research centres.
