The Belgian rail network operator Infrabel is strengthening the protection of its IT systems and critical infrastructure with the expertise of Thales.

In order to better protect itself against cyberattacks, Infrabel is entering into a strategic partnership with the French defense group Thales, both companies announced in a press release on Thursday. Infrabel wants to better protect its IT systems and critical infrastructure in order to give priority to the security of passenger and freight transport.

Thales will work with a CyberSOC monitoring center that will detect suspicious activities. Infrabel will transfer a check for 20 million euros for a five-year contract with Thales.

CyberSOC

The contract stipulates that Thales will provide the railway network operator with a so-called Cyber ​​Security Monitoring Center (cyberSOC), which will be used to monitor the railway infrastructure 24 hours a day and to immediately detect and report suspicious activities.

In addition, CyberSOC also plays a critical role in prevention, implementing security controls and taking measures to mitigate potential consequences and recover affected systems in the event of an attack.

Thales expertise

This collaboration is driven by Thales’ expertise and advanced technologies, which provide proactive protection against a wide range of threats, phishing attacks and system tampering attempts.

“The contract with Thales demonstrates Infrabel’s confidence in Belgian cybersecurity expertise. It underlines our strong commitment to protecting rail infrastructure from evolving cyber threats. In this sense, the CyberSOC will enable us to ensure the safety and performance of rail transport today and in the future,” said Benoit Gilson, CEO of Infrabel.