Williams F1 finds new partner in cyber security firm

Motor racing team Williams Formula One will be entering into a partnership with data protection, cyber security, and information systems company, Thales.

The agreement will see Thales providing cyber security services that will enable the Williams Advanced Engineering and Williams Martini Racing teams to receive worldwide telemetry transmission.

Cyber security, data protection in particular, has a significant role to play in Formula One. Williams need Thales to ensure that its confidential data remains out of the hands of hackers.

Cyber security and data protection is regarded as a priority for Williams, as an increasing number of projects are being performed for external clients via the Williams Advanced Engineering team, William’s technology and engineering services division.

Executive vice-president from Thales, Marc Darmon, said that the two parties already enjoyed a healthy relationship.

“The agreement clearly illustrates Thales’ commitment to accompany its clients in their digital transformation where cyber security is a vital requirement.”

Williams’ commercial director, Claire Williams, said that the team has experienced a substantial digital makeover over the last two years.

She said:

“We are revolutionising our IT infrastructure to make sure we are well placed to continue innovating. With the help of Thales, we will be introducing cyber security systems that keep our business-critical data secure wherever we are in the world.”

Williams is taking the right approach, and if certain other companies of the same stature had taken cyber security more seriously, they could have avoided major breaches that made headlines in the past few years. Businesses of any size need to ensure that they take their IT security recruitment drive more seriously in this day and age.