According to the UK's cyber agency, National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the number of cyber attacks is on the rise. In 2025, there was a near 50% rise in cyber incidents and an 129% increase in incidents that were categorised as ‘nationally significant’. In other words, those that are high-impact attacks that pose a considerable risk to the UK’s national security, economy, critical infrastructure, or essential government services.
So how does the UK protect against such threats?
As a critical hub for secure, NCSC-approved cybersecurity, Airbus in Newport, South Wales is providing a key part of the solution. The site specialises in defending companies, government and defence organisations not only against malicious attacks but provides the sovereign cryptographic solutions that make sure information is secure and can be trusted.
“There is never a boring day in the office,” says the newly appointed Site Director and Head of Engineering Strategy and Digital Solutions, Stephanie Eden.
In the Airbus Secure Operation Centre at Newport, where computer networks are monitored and protected 24/7, one of their customers registered 1.5 billion potential incidents in a single month.
“There are many different kinds of cyber event - it could be a teenager honing their hacking skills or something more organised such as hacktivists with a political agenda, criminal activity or industrial espionage,” says Stephanie Eden. “Airbus has an enormous amount of IP (Intellectual Property), as do many of our customers. And if you’re involved in defence, state actors are also a threat. So the threats come from everywhere, and we have to be ready to protect against all of them.”
It’s not just large infrastructure that is protected. Experts at the site have unique crypt-key (cryptographic key) expertise that is used on all main RAF fixed wing aircraft. Recently appointed Head of Cyber UK and Five-Eyes business - Michelle Kimbrey, explains “With every mission there is a new encryption key which is loaded onto the aircraft - quickly enabling it to redeploy to wherever it is needed. This sovereign capability reduces the time ground crews spend loading security information onto the aircraft which is critical for rapid deployment and operational efficiency.”
In order to keep critical data safe, engineers at Newport have been at the forefront of innovation in cryptography for decades. With Ectocryp, the leading family of cryptography products and key management capabilities, Airbus has supported the UK & 5 Eyes Governments to deliver critical information to enable ships to sail, aircraft to fly and land forces to communicate with the knowledge that data is delivered fully encrypted and secure.
Welsh Defence Growth
Welsh businesses, universities and colleges can now access new opportunities in the growing defence sector through the Wales Defence and Security Cluster. The cluster brings together organisations — from small businesses to global prime contractors such as Airbus — to strengthen Wales's defence supply chain, develop new technologies, and create skilled, well-paid jobs.
“The Wales Defence and Security Cluster will enable us to build on decades of defence expertise in Wales. We are well positioned to contribute not only to the UK’s national security but also to our collective economic growth,” says Stephanie Eden.
Future Skills
With the launch of a leading Cyber Security Degree Apprenticeship, Airbus is training the next generation of cyber experts. “Investing in talent through apprenticeship schemes is vital. It ensures that the UK maintains a competitive advantage in a highly dynamic and rapidly evolving cyber domain,” says Stephanie Eden. The scheme, launched in 2022 enables apprentices to learn critical cyber skills whilst also working towards a degree.
Airbus Endeavr Wales
Over the last 2 decades Airbus has partnered with the Welsh Government and Cardiff University to form Airbus Endeavr Wales. The unique collaboration aims to accelerate the economy, supporting SMEs and academia by funding early stage research to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Since its inception, the programme has fostered innovation across aerospace, AI, cybersecurity and sustainability.
Stephanie Eden adds: “In a high tech fast moving industry such as ours, it’s vital to stay ahead of the curve, to continue to develop the ecosystem needed to not only develop the next innovation but to also ensure that we have the local skills, partners and network needed to develop the business.”
Learn more about Airbus Cybersecurity on the Airbus Cyber website and Airbus Protect website.
