Satcom Direct, a business aviation connectivity, software and hardware provider, has broken ground on phase two of its SD Data Center expansion plans – as more clients take steps to protect themselves against cybersecurity hacks.
The Bravo phase will double the existing Alpha phase’s 5,000 square feet at the Melbourne, Florida headquarters.
On completion, at the end of December this year, the Bravo project will add capacity for a further 120+ server cabinets, providing secure data storage for aviation and terrestrial clients of all sizes.
As with the Alpha construction, which saw the first and only data centre purpose-built for the international business aviation community, the Bravo phase will match the category five hurricane-proof construction and adhere to the same compliance standards already in place.
Growing threats
The $3 million investment is being made in response to the business aviation sector’s growing recognition of the need to mitigate the risk of cyber-attack during flight, SD says.
The SD Data Center enables the creation of private networks for clients when connected to SD hardware, software and satellite connectivity. Through the infrastructure available via the SD Data Center, existing compliance and security protocols can be applied to the aircraft network like any other corporate location.
Phase three, Charlie, which is currently in the planning stage, will support further customised solutions for aviation clients.
Chris Moore, SD’s CCO, commented: “Business aviation customers expect robust, reliable, secure connectivity to be available throughout flight. Our mission is to deliver the best user experience possible and maintain data integrity. As cyber-attacks on business aviation increase, we are responding by enhancing our ability to monitor and manage these threats by keeping data transfer safe through the SD Data Center.”
“Our next phase of expansion increases our capacity to support more customers recognising the need to implement the correct protocols to stay safe at altitude,” he added.
