Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, aimed at securing next-generation aerospace systems amid increasingly complex cyber-physical environments. Given the challenges of cyber threats, continuous development is required, primarily to ensure the safety of passengers on aircraft.
This is a multi-year framework agreement for pioneering collaboration in aviation cybersecurity. The agreement was signed for five years, with a value of over $10 million. Under this framework, proactive cyber research will be promoted for autonomous, digital, and connected aerospace systems.
This collaboration will enable the development of innovative security systems, secure communication networks, resilient autonomous platforms, and technologies for future aerospace platforms. "These systems are becoming increasingly autonomous and connected," said Dr. Brendan Nelson, President of Boeing Global. "The collaboration with Ben-Gurion University, considered one of the world’s leading centers in cybersecurity and advanced engineering, helps us remain at the forefront of innovation in secure aviation."
At the university, they note that establishing the center in the academic institution is an important milestone: "The partnership illustrates how a deep connection between groundbreaking academic research and an international corporation promotes innovation, strengthens the Negev as a leading technology hub, and trains the next generation of cybersecurity experts for the benefit of Israeli and global society," said Professor Daniel Chamovitz, President of the University.
Ben-Gurion further emphasizes that the collaboration will enable university researchers and graduate students to tackle cyber challenges: "This is essentially a natural step after years of collaboration with global leaders in addressing Boeing’s most critical cybersecurity challenges across various domains," explained Professor Yuval Elovitch, Head of the Cyber Research Center. According to him, the collaboration is expected to advance new security capabilities for the next generation of aviation technologies, utilizing developments in artificial intelligence.
Ido Nechushtan, President of Boeing Israel, highlighted Israel’s contribution to the development of the technologies used by the company: "Boeing has continued to be the main supplier of passenger aircraft to Israeli airlines, as well as a leading supplier of fighter jets, missiles, combat helicopters, satellites, and other equipment to the IDF. Israeli industries are now leading suppliers to Boeing, and many Israeli systems are integrated into the company’s products worldwide."