Avio, cybersecurity supporting space missions
Avio is a joint-stock company operating in the space sector. The company is involved in the design and production of components for orbital launchers, from space propulsion to other elements that enable the launch and positioning of satellites in space.
Launch operations are conducted from French Guiana, at the European spaceport in Kourou, one of the few internationally authorized sites for launching space vehicles. Avio’s main headquarters, however, is in Colleferro, in the province of Rome, where particularly delicate components are managed, also from the perspective of combustion risk.
“For the activities we perform, we need to apply significant security mechanisms, both from a legislative and regulatory standpoint and due to the nature of the projects we handle,” states Michele Onorato, CISO of Avio. “This need concerns not only technological aspects but also people’s behavior. It is essential that staff are adequately trained, know how to use work tools correctly, and are aware of the risks of potentially spreading information.”
A modular program
Avio has set up a security program aimed at all company personnel, based on modules.
“In this journey, Cyber Guru assists us: the platform is online and can be used at any time, both in remote work and in the office. It starts with a basic level, common to all, and then, depending on the role, proceeds with more targeted and personalized training,” explains Onorato. “Furthermore, the training program is not limited to content delivery alone. We have also introduced phishing campaigns that are conducted periodically and allow us to monitor the level of staff awareness and attention over time.”
Data collected over time indicates progressive improvement. “Today, people are better prepared to recognize attack attempts. Another aspect we carefully evaluated concerns the time dedicated to training. We feared that long sessions might lead to a loss of attention. In reality, 7-8 minute modules allow for maintaining a good level of concentration and enable following the path with greater continuity,” states Onorato.
