(Alliance News) - An integrated offering of advanced cybersecurity solutions for IT/OT technologies dedicated to secure, connected and integrated digital industrial infrastructures: this is the goal of the memorandum of understanding signed by Leonardo Spa and Siemens Digital Industries, a subsidiary of Siemens AG, on Thursday.

Specifically, the understanding comes as part of a partnership between the two companies created with the aim of bringing together specific expertise to develop services and solutions aimed at protecting the IT/OT infrastructure - infrastructure with dedicated HW and SW devices - of industrial sites.

The main area of focus will be on resilience against cyber incidents and attacks of automation and connectivity systems that monitor and supervise critical infrastructure assets, equipment and processes.

The agreement includes an integrated business proposition with both joint solutions and proprietary products and services of the two companies to meet the needs of the oil and gas, energy, and industrial markets. The agreement also governs cybersecurity training, with the definition of a catalog of courses dedicated to the OT sector, which will be able to take advantage of Leonardo's Cyber & Security Academy platforms and infrastructure.

The technology solutions created will also be able to become part of Xcelerator, Siemens' open digital platform that includes a complete portfolio of Internet of Things-enabled hardware, software and digital services.

"Thanks to this agreement, Leonardo and Siemens can create new synergies based on complementary technologies and competencies, with the aim of jointly developing solutions that can respond more effectively to the growing cyber challenges in the industrial and energy sectors," said Alessandro Profumo, CEO of Leonardo.

"In this way, Leonardo's evolutionary path traced by the Be Tomorrow 2030 strategic plan continues, which aims to make our company the pivot of a technological ecosystem capable of protecting the security of citizens and promoting, together with institutions and partners, the country's long-term competitiveness."

"We are very pleased with this partnership that places cybersecurity at the center, an essential factor in the development of a secure and reliable digital economy. With innovative technology that combines the real and digital worlds in a way that provides security while protecting their know-how and productivity, we are helping businesses themselves to be more competitive. Together with Leonardo, we combine their undoubted systems integration capability with our technology, creating a unique synergy and proposition in the market. Our goal, therefore, is to create further value for Italian industry and help our country in its digital transformation," said Giuliano Busetto, Head of Siemens Digital Industries.

Leonardo's stock is up 2.3 percent at EUR11.24 per share.

By Giuseppe Fabio Ciccomascolo, Alliance News senior reporter

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