Major players in the cybersecurity sector of the defense and security market announced new business ventures and developments this week.

In Europe, Thales, a major supplier of secure communications and information systems, and Schneider Electric France have partnered to develop and supply cyber-security products and services to protect command-and-control systems, while in Australia Lockheed Martin has opened its fourth security intelligence center.

"Digital security of critical infrastructures is a top priority for the authorities in France and other countries," said Vincent Marfaing, Thales vice president, Information Technology Security/Cybersecurity. "Through our cooperation with Schneider Electric, we will offer a range of world-class technical solutions to meet this requirement."

Cyber-security solutions to be provided include risk management, vulnerability analysis, definition of security architectures, implementation of protection and surveillance measures, security maintenance and incident response management.

Solutions, tailored to the automation and command-and-control systems in service with Schneider Electric and Thales' customers, will provide protection from threats such as computer attacks launched from management systems, unauthorized access across wireless networks and malware introduced via USB memory sticks.

The Thales/Schneider solutions will also assure customer compliance with new national and international regulations in the area of security for digital command-and-control systems.

Initially, the products and services will be offered to French companies.

Thales and Schneider Electric France, a specialist in automation solutions for energy networks and data center infrastructure management, announced the partnership at an information security conference and exhibition in Monaco.

"The cooperation with Thales enables us to further extend the range of solutions we offer to our customers in sensitive sectors to address their growing concerns over cyber-security," said Sylvain Frode de la Foret, vice president of Partner Projects & Buildings, Schneider Electric France. "It is an alliance between two market leaders designed to step up to one of the major challenges of our times."

Thales said that products and services will be offered initially to French companies.

In Australia, Lockheed Martin's new security intelligence center (SIC) was opened Thursday in Canberra, the Australian capital, continuing the company's international extension of its cyberdefense network.

"This new center is an investment in technology, expertise and talent for increased innovation throughout our Lockheed Martin team," said Sondra Barbour, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin's Information Systems and Global Solutions explained Barbour. "As cyberthreats become increasingly sophisticated and persistent, our cyberintelligence analysts continuously adapt and improve their methods in collaboration with government and industry partners, implementing new mitigations to keep ahead of the threats."

Lockheed, said the new SIC strengthens the company's intelligence-driven computer network defense and ability to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving and persistent cyberthreats.

Each of the company's SICs reinforce the company's detection, identification and response to information security incidents and also develops and expand an elite, local cyber workforce.

"Lockheed Martin intends to lead the way in finding cybertech solutions that make our country safer, and to create cyberprofessional jobs that meet Australia's national security challenges today -- and tomorrow," said Raydon Gates, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia. "The establishment of this newest center is just the next phase in our commitment to Australia's cyber-security technological and economic evolution."

The company said SIC in Canberra will be staffed by trained Australian cyberintelligence analysts drawn from Lockheed Martin Australia's employee base. Its local operations will be integrated into Lockheed Martin's global computer network defense.