We talked to Dr. Shreekant (Ticky) Thakkar, Chief Research Officer at the Secure Systems Research Centre at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), about his vision of the industry challenges and involvement in GUTMA .
“As a participant in the open-source UTM ecosystem, our goal is to define and promote the implementation of Zero Trust principles for secure communication between UAS and UTM systems“
Dr. Shreekant “Ticky” Thakkar, Chief Researcher, Secure Systems Research Center, Technology Innovation Institute
What is TII and what is its role and involvement within GUTMA?
The Secure Systems Research Center (SSRC) is part of the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a UAE-based pioneering global research and development center focusing on applied research and new-age technology capabilities.
At SSRC, we are committed to driving Zero Trust end-to-end security and resilience in cyber-physical, and autonomous systems that will ensure safety and enrich lives in the UAE and worldwide.
As a participant in the open-source UTM ecosystem, we aim to define and promote the implementation of Zero Trust principles for secure communication between Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and UTM systems. Zero Trust is a security framework that challenges the traditional perimeter-based security approach and adopts a holistic approach to secure communication.
Through our efforts in the open-source ecosystem, we seek to foster innovation, drive industry-wide adoption of secure communication practices, and enhance the overall security and resiliency of UAS operations within the UTM ecosystem.
By joining GUTMA, we are determined to accelerate the fulfilment of security and resiliency needs within the UTM ecosystem, as GUTMA provides a collaborative platform that brings together industry experts, regulators, and stakeholders from across the globe.
According to you, what are the biggest industry challenges at the moment?
From a UTM security and resiliency perspective, the industry faces several significant challenges. Addressing these challenges necessitates a multi-layered approach, including strong encryption, authentication protocols, real-time threat monitoring, incident response capabilities, collaboration among stakeholders, and regular security assessments to ensure the safety and security of UTM operations.
Some of these core challenges include ensuring confidentiality and integrity, mitigating security threats in real-time, securing communication channels and data transmission, integrating various UTM stakeholders, and boosting the resilience and compliance of UTM systems.
What are the advantages of working with GUTMA?
GUTMA plays a crucial role in facilitating the harmonization of UTM standards and regulations.
One of the advantages of working with GUTMA is the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders on a global scale. Working along the full ecosystem/value chain in the UTM space is particularly critical when it comes to addressing security and resilience aspects.
ABOUT DR. SHREEKANT THAKKAR
Dr. Shreekant (Ticky) Thakkar is the Chief Researcher at the Secure Systems Research Centre at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and Adjunct Research Professor at Khalifa University. He is responsible for carrying out advanced research that is driving end-to-end security and resilience in cyber-physical and autonomous systems of systems (swarm of drones). These include secure technologies in silicon, edge and mobile and cloud platforms working with open-source ecosystems (Dronecode, RISC-V, Linux, Apache, ROS) and research institutions across USA, Europe, and UAE.
ABOUT TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION INSTITUTE
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) is the dedicated applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). TII is a pioneering global research and development center that focuses on applied research and new-age technology capabilities.
The Institute has ten dedicated research centres in advanced materials, autonomous robotics, cryptography, AI and digital science, directed energy, quantum, secure systems, propulsion and space, biotechnology, and renewable and sustainable energy. By working with exceptional talent, universities, research institutions and industry partners from all over the world, TII connects an intellectual community and contributes to building an R&D ecosystem that reinforces the status of Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a global hub for innovation.
For more information, visit https://www.tii.ae/
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