Strategic Partnership Positions UK at Forefront of Cybersecure Aerospace Development

Embedding Cybersecurity by Design: Research Redefines Aerospace System Integrity

Amid escalating cybersecurity threats targeting increasingly complex technological ecosystems, a pioneering research partnership has been established to strengthen the digital resilience of aerospace systems. Swansea University, Novel Engineering Consultants Ltd (Novel), and Airbus Endeavour Wales have collaboratively launched a strategic initiative aimed at mitigating cyber vulnerabilities across aerospace platforms.

Crucially, this project is the first of its kind to apply Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches during the early design phase, thereby embedding robust cybersecurity protocols from the outset. By integrating secure architectural principles at foundational levels, the team seeks to anticipate and neutralise cyber threats before they materialise, setting new benchmarks for aerospace safety and reliability.

The initiative is being led by Professor Siraj Shaikh of Swansea University, alongside Dr Hoang Nga Nguyen and domain specialists from Novel. Ian Thomas of Novel emphasised that the fusion of their model-based engineering expertise with Swansea’s research in cybersecurity is facilitating the development of novel tools that both enhance system performance and strengthen cybersecurity integration.

Furthermore, Professor Shaikh highlighted the project's dual focus—not only on securing technological infrastructure but also on promoting workforce development and job creation across Wales. Echoing this sentiment, Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans MS commended the Endeavr programme for its tangible contributions to economic growth through innovation and celebrated the university’s partnership with Airbus Defence and Space.

Airbus Endeavr Wales representative Nick Crew expressed strong support for the initiative, praising the cross-disciplinary collaboration with Swansea University and Novel to reinforce aerospace cybersecurity. The research team is concentrating efforts on early threat detection, enhanced security testing methodologies, proactive design-stage implementation of best practices, and strict adherence to existing aerospace cybersecurity standards. Ultimately, the consortium aims to disseminate its innovations broadly within the aerospace sector, thereby advancing the UK’s technological leadership and cyber resilience in aerospace development. This collaborative venture exemplifies how early-stage engineering integration can drive transformative advancements in securing aerospace systems.

Editor’s Note:

The use of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in cybersecurity design is changing the way digital safety is planned and built, especially in high-risk areas like aerospace. The partnership between Swansea University, Novel Engineering Consultants Ltd, and Airbus Endeavour Wales shows a modern approach, one that focuses on building cybersecurity into systems from the very beginning, rather than adding it later as a defence. By designing secure systems early on, MBSE helps teams predict threats, create better testing methods, and meet changing security standards. This strengthens the technology and allows systems to adapt quickly to new and complex cyber risks. MBSE also encourages teamwork across different fields, making sure that performance and security goals work together.

Skoobuzz firmly believes that as industries like aerospace start using MBSE more widely, this method is set to reshape how cybersecurity is handled, offering solutions that are flexible, reliable, and ready to handle future risks.