The Royal Netherlands Navy is strengthening its cyber security by developing a so-called Cyber Node Operation System (CyNOpS). This system enables the navy to transmit, receive and intercept digital signals. To this end, the Ministry of Defence, TNO, Technolution and the Cyber Innovation Hub formalised their cooperation on 3 December.
Modern warfare increasingly relies on cyber and electromagnetic activities (CEMA). These are used both offensively and defensively to disrupt radar and radio communications. The new CyNOpS eliminates these vulnerabilities, improving the operational safety and digital resilience of naval vessels.
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Accelerating innovation with industry
Developments in CEMA are moving extremely fast. This makes it essential for companies, knowledge institutes and Defence to collaborate and share expertise on the latest innovations. The benefit is that existing and validated market innovations can be used, speeding up the innovation process.
TNO has been developing operational systems for cyber and electromagnetic warfare for years. This resulted in a prototype of CyNOpS. Its successor is now being specifically developed for the navy.
‘Ships and marine units will gain improved capabilities to process digital signals,’ says Commodore Frank Lenssen, Director of Operations for the navy. ‘This will enable them to protect themselves against cyber and electromagnetic threats.’
Alongside the navy, the Dutch Cyber Innovation Hub (CIH) is also involved in the development. The CIH works with industry on proven, scalable solutions for Defence.
Picture: The four signatories stand on the quay in Den Helder with a banner between them. From left to right: Wouter Roelofs (Head of Cyber Innovation Hub), Commodore Frank Lenssen, Marcel Dukker (Technolution) and Patrick de Graaf (TNO) (photo by Dutch Ministry of Defence).
