BAE and Vodafone team up for cyber security project

DEFENCE giant BAE Systems and mobile phone heavyweight Vodafone yesterday unveiled a five-year deal to work together on cyber security technology.

The companies will offer a range of communications security products and services for mobile phones and tablet devices initially. The partnership is the first of its kind, BAE’s chief executive, Ian King, said.

BAE, Europe’s largest defence contractor, is looking for growth in its cyber and security arm, BAE Systems Detica, particularly in areas such as communications technology.

The first part of the agreement will see the launch this spring of cloud-based mobile security software, called Vodafone Mobile Threat Manager, for Vodafone’s 1,500 largest corporate clients.

King said: “This partnership is unique, not only in bringing together a defence and security player with a major communications provider, but also in its ability to help global enterprises realise their ambitions around leveraging the future of communications technologies in a secure manner.

“These technologies are subject to the vulnerabilities of ­cyberspace and we can provide the mobile marketplace with protection against today’s threats and the advanced threats of the future.”

Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao said: “As a new generation of mobile-centric security risks begins to emerge, our customers are looking for our help to protect their businesses.

“Our partnership with BAE Systems will strengthen further our commitment to meet our customers’ increasingly complex cyber security needs. We also look forward to working with BAE as the company’s communications partner.”

Vodafone has about 400 million customers.