CyberOwl granted US Patent for cutting-edge network security monitoring technology

CyberOwl, a cybersecurity company that safeguards operational assets in maritime, defence and industrial sectors from attacks, has today announced the issuance of a new U.S. patent for the invention of its groundbreaking network security technology. The technology, invented by CyberOwl’s Chief Scientist, Professor Siraj Shaikh, is underpinned by research completed at Coventry University's Institute for Future Transport and Cities. It looks to provide early warning of escalating cybersecurity threats and prioritise those warnings against critical assets in distributed, operational systems. It has since been developed to address the specific cybersecurity pain points of maritime transport and critical national infrastructure systems. The technology underpins CyberOwl’s industry-leading product Medulla, which is actively deployed on some of the world’s largest shipping fleets.

The need for cybersecurity monitoring in the maritime sector has never been greater, following an unprecedented period of targeted, high profile cyber attacks on the sector; evidenced in recent days by cyber-attacks on container line CMA CGM and the United Nations agency for international shipping, the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Professor Siraj Shaikh, Chief Scientist at CyberOwl, commented, “with escalating threats and a perpetually growing list of vulnerabilities, the odds are stacked against the asset operator to defend their systems from cyber attack. We are constantly looking for advancements in CyberOwl’s technologies that can meaningfully give the advantage back to the asset operator. This latest patent is a testament to our commitment at CyberOwl to keep improving our products and services with cutting-edge research.”

About CyberOwl CyberOwl’s mission is to shift organisations towards an active, risk-based cybersecurity posture. Our products, Medulla and Incus, provides remote, protective monitoring for connected operational technology (OT) assets. Together they provide real-time visibility, raise early warning on suspicious activity and help fleet operators understand the level of compliance with user policies enforced on vessel OT and IT systems. These have been optimised for maritime platforms that have to manage challenges such as intermittent connectivity and typically a crew onboard that is not skilled in cyber security. Medulla and Incus allow engineers and security analysts to take preventative action before any real cyber-physical damage or operational loss is sustained. CyberOwl was founded as a spinout from Coventry University, Crossword Cybersecurity PLC and with funding from Mercia Fund Managers in 2016. Since then we have received many accolades, including being shortlisted for the Lloyds Science of Risk Prize 2015, selected into the first GCHQ / NCSC Cyber Accelerator Programme, Finalist in the Cyber Security Awards Startup of the Year 2017 and Finalist in the UK’s Most Innovative Small Cyber Companies 2018. We are also a founding member of the UK Government’s London Office for Rapid Cybersecurity Advancement (LORCA).