Led by monitoring technology company Dtex Systems, and supported by Algosec, a network security policy management company, Secure Racing has been launched to raise awareness that security technologies have a ‘critical role to play beyond the office environment’.
The team hopes to inspire the industry to come together and be part of a shared challenge – to enable the information security industry to be represented at the world famous Le Mans 24-hour race by 2015.
IT security professionals encouraged to get involved
Secure Racing has offering an open invitation to anyone involved in information security to join the team.
“IT security plays a critical role in some of the most exciting and challenging environments in the world,” Dtex’s UK MD Mohan Koo, said.
“Motorsport is a perfect demonstration – it’s an environment where the margin for error is so small that keeping any competitive advantage within the team is critical.
Industrial espionage
Paul Clark, regional director at Algosec, said that information security in motorsports had first been put in the spotlight following the Ferrari-McLaren F1 accusations of industrial espionage.
“Subsequent to the 2007 Ferrari-McLaren F1 data leakage scandal information security has become a key focus within many sectors including motorsport. This has resulted in information security and technology companies becoming increasingly invested in motorsport both on and off the track.
“For many companies, the costs associated with motor racing present a barrier to entry so we created Secure Racing to offer a way for any information security business, no matter how big or small, to get involved and share in the thrill of racing,” he said.
Secure Racing’s car will be driven by ex-Porsche Club, Britcar 24 hour and GT3 Challenge racer Peter Erceg.
Erceg, who is the director of IT Security for Everything, Everywhere, gained first place in class in the inaugural Porsche GB GT3 Challenge in 2010 and a third in class in the 2007 24 hours of Silverstone.
Chris Holmes, 24, has also joined the team after competing in the British Caterham Superlight Championship, Formula BMW, Formula Renault, and British Formula 4 which saw him take eight race wins from 11 starts, two podiums, and six new lap records.