Security engineering and protection of critical infrastructure and modern defence systems
Securing communication infrastructures and software-defined systems is becoming a central challenge
The global security landscape is undergoing fundamental change. Hybrid threats, geopolitical tensions and increasing digital dependencies are placing growing pressure on government and military organisations operating in defence and classified environments. In these contexts, protecting sensitive and classified information is critical.
Modern defence systems are becoming software-defined, interconnected and highly dynamic. As a result, cybersecurity has become a critical prerequisite for secure operations, trusted communication and effective international collaboration.
Security requirements in defence and classified environments can broadly be divided into two key areas:
- Protection of communication and IT infrastructures
- Protection of software-defined defence systems
While the first focuses on trusted communication handling classified communication, the second addresses the security of increasingly software-driven and interconnected systems.
Trusted communication is the backbone of secure operations
The worsening global security situation and the rise of hybrid threat scenarios are driving significant investment in secure communication and IT infrastructures across defence and classified environments.
For armed forces, public authorities and security-sensitive industries, handling classified information requires end-to-end secure systems that meet the highest security standards.
In practice, this means that only hardened communication and IT products approved by the BSI may be deployed across all sectors involved in national defence. At the same time, requirements continue to increase:
- driven by the growing demand to certify IT and crypto communication solutions in accordance with the highest BSI approval standards for handling classified information (CI)
- by cross-departmental as well as civil–military cooperation
- by international collaboration at EU and NATO level
Against this backdrop, delivering secure, approved and interoperable communication and IT solutions is becoming more complex – particularly across organisations, security domains and national borders.
How achelos supports
For manufacturers and suppliers of security-critical solutions:
- Support for obtaining CI approval and security certifications
- Integration of security into product development in line with security by design
- Assistance in implementing secure communication and system components
For operators, public authorities and organisations:
- Design and operation of secure, future-proof PKI and HSM infrastructures aligned with defence and high-security requirements
- Implementation of solutions compliant with EU, NATO Restricted and VS-NfD standards
Are you facing the challenge of building or evolving secure and certifiable communication and IT infrastructures?
We support you in turning your requirements into secure, compliant solutions and certify them according to the highest national and international security standards.
Software is becoming a critical factor in modern defence architectures
Modern defence systems are rapidly evolving into software-defined platforms. Functionality, connectivity and operational capability are now largely driven by software – from individual components to cross-system communication. This shift towards software-defined defence (SDD) is reshaping the reality of modern defence systems.
As software takes on a more central role, new dependencies emerge. Software determines not only system performance but also security. At the same time, threat landscapes continue to evolve. Cyberattacks are increasingly targeting the functionality and integrity of systems in operation. Software therefore becomes the primary attack surface, while cryptography provides the foundation for secure communication and trusted systems.
Security requirements are rising accordingly. Systems must be continuously updated while remaining secure throughout long lifecycles. Certification and trust increasingly depend on a consistent security by design approach.
In this context, it is essential to integrate security requirements early in development and design systems that remain secure and reliable even under dynamic operational conditions.
How achelos supports
For manufacturers, developers and suppliers:
- Securing software-defined systems through security by design
- Implementation of key security mechanisms such as secure boot and secure update
- Protection against advanced software and hardware attacks
For operators, public authorities and organisations:
- Securing software-based systems with resilient PKI and HSM infrastructures
- Implementation of PQC-ready solutions and compliance with EU, NATO Restricted and VS-NfD requirements
Are you developing or operating software-defined systems and looking to integrate security requirements early and sustainably?
We would be happy to discuss your specific requirements.
Secure systems – from infrastructure to software-defined architecture
achelos combines deep security engineering expertise with the implementation of secure systems and infrastructures in defence and classified environments.
Security engineering for defence systems
- Security analysis and evaluation of system architectures
- Security architecture and requirements engineering
- Secure development lifecycle (SDL)
- Support for BSI approval of systems handling classified information (CI approval) as well as comparable EU and NATO certifications
Cybersecurity systems
- Design and integration of secure PKI and HSM infrastructures
- Implementation of identity and trust solutions
- Protection of communication and IT systems
- Solutions for VS-NfD, EU and NATO-compliant environments
Whether secure communication infrastructures or software-defined defence systems, achelos supports you in securing your solutions across the entire lifecycle.
Talk to us about your requirements.
Our solutions for defence and classified environments
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