Trusted innovation requires a new way of technology collaboration
We live in a connected world. Without a doubt, the smartphone has taken over many aspects of our daily life – far beyond of just conducting a phone call. Email, smart messaging, mobile banking, access to the internet, as well as secure access to private networks, listening to music, streaming movies: Only 20 years ago, a cellphone provider marketed one’s whole life in one’s pocket. This vision has indeed long become reality, and already extends to sensitive and secure applications, too..
Connectivity goes far beyond our private lives. Real-time large data exchange is the basis of the world of financial transactions; industrial processes increasingly function on automated processes; modern factories are fully automated; public life is being digitized every day; there is literally no government in he world that has not launched a “digital agenda” for its country.
“The connected digital world brings many opportunities for our society – however, we need to be aware that it comes with an equally large set of challenges for us,” says Bosco Novak, Executive Vice President Technology Systems at Rohde & Schwarz. “Can we trust the software and the algorithms which govern the automated processes? Do we always know who stores our critical data and who has access to it? How do we protect the communication between different devices? Are our digital systems robust against interference or even destruction?”
Bosco Novak continues: “The big underlying question is: Are we in control of the connected world? Do we have the people and the competences to understand what is happening and do we have the needed additional technologies in our hands which enable us to be in control of the automated connected processes? After all, we cannot allow technology to govern us. The Digital Area has just begun and Technology Sovereignty is a must for all of us.”
This is all the more valid for governments who have the responsibility to provide welfare and safety to its people and who protect a country against any intrusion from the outside and even inside. Police, military, critical infrastructures like transport systems and energy plants, and government processes; all of these rely on real time information exchange and all of these are vulnerable to distortion and tampering.
“Technology sovereignty is finally getting the right attention in many government agendas,” states Bosco Novak. ”We see many initiatives aiming at regaining control of the underlying information and communication systems, initiatives which span from building the needed competences inhouse to obtaining advanced monitoring systems. But this is not enough.
We do not have the time, the money and especially not the needed resources to drive all of these initiatives in an isolated and parallel manner. Creating technology sovereignty requires a new approach to collaboration between governments and technology partners, an approach, which builds on industrial technology assets with a joint objective, namely to create technology sovereignty for a country. This new approach does not only require a new way of thinking in governments, but also within technology companies.”
The power of vertical integration and the value of strategy
Having worked at Rohde & Schwarz for 10 years, the executive understands the power of vertical integration and the value of strategizing from both a short-term and long-term perspective. “Rohde & Schwarz holds the know-how and industrial capacities of intelligence and secure communications technology close to its core roots,” he says. “This knowhow has grown over the decades and made the company a valued partner for industrial and public customers from all over the world.”
The latest research topics such as 6G mobile communications, the widespread use of artificial intelligence or quantum technologies are on the company‘s agenda. Rohde & Schwarz network technology guarantees the confidentiality of communication between businesses and the authorities. Crypto and cyber security technology, which the company is developing in close cooperation with the national security authorities, is not only used by NATO forces, but also secures the critical infrastructure and private IT facilities.
„Our technology assets enable our customers to build their technology sovereignty. We see ourselves as an end-to-end supplier with overall responsibility for demanding tasks in our areas of work. Every customer project is in good hands with us, from technology consulting and project planning to development, manufacture, installation and service of the components and systems. One of the increasingly important areas is the digitization of the armed forces.”
Significant contributions in and for Germany
Over the years, Rohde & Schwarz made significant contributions in Germany to the operational readiness and command and control of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). “For many years we have been the technology partner for the Bundeswehr for both the air force and navy. As a consequent next step, in 2019, we received the parliamentarian approval for the seamless command radio link for the PUMA armored infantry system with the infantryman of the future (IdZ-ES), Software Defined Radio, for the Very High Readiness Joint Taskforce (VJTF) 2023,” Bosco proudly explains.
Rohde & Schwarz VHF/UHF radio systems, selected for projects like this, establish and maintain the command radio link with simultaneous voice and IP data transfers from dismounted troops down to the platoon and company level. The systems concerned are handheld (SDHR/SOVERON®HR) and vehicular radios (SDTR/SOVERON®VR) that are interoperable with the Bundeswehr joint secure radio system (SVFuA, series name: SOVERON®D) that has already been commissioned by the armed forces and the software defined radio waveforms procured with it.
“This interplay is of great importance for future viability in the context of land-based operations,” Bosco Novak says. “But it doesn’t stop there. We provide cutting-edge communications, electronic support measures and security solutions for the entire range of naval platforms, whether above surface, underwater or shore-based. Most importantly, we provide the Bundeswehr with the technology know-how and capabilities, as well as software tools to be in control of the communications systems and algorithms. We enable full technology sovereignty.”
“Our joint collaboration does not stop at the national border.” Bosco Novak knows that interoperability is fundamental to mission success and is what makes multinational operations possible: “Interoperability is crucial to ensure armed forces can communicate and share data, while serving on operations or missions, not only amongst each other, but also with other services and joint forces. Rohde & Schwarz is responsible for ensuring trusted interoperability so allies and partners can work together to achieve Allied objectives.”
As a system integrator and manufacturer of all core components, Rohde & Schwarz delivers turnkey and trusted solutions for the entire infrastructure lifecycle, enabling customers to adjust the systems flexibly
in response to the changing internal and external threat scenarios.
High level of vertical integration
“For Rohde & Schwarz, independence is a valuable asset and an essential part of our corporate identity. For 90 years, the independent family-owned German group has maintained a technological leadership position in all its fields of work,” Bosco Novak explains. Rohde & Schwarz manufactures its products in its own factories, mostly in Germany and Czechia. „Our high level of vertical integration, starting with components and inhouse designed and printed circuit boards, enables us to react quickly and flexibly to changing conditions and requirements,“ continues Bosco Novak. “Whenever possible, we obtain critical components from partners who have been tried and tested for many years. With complete control over all production phases, we ensure the highest quality and safety standards. As a supplier to the defense and aerospace industry, we have all the relevant approvals and certificates for these markets.”
As an independent, privately owned company, Rohde & Schwarz finances its growth with its own resources. Because the company does not have to think in terms of quarterly results, it can plan sustainably for the long term. The technology company strives to lead the industry in product quality and value, and consistently and conscientiously produces products that meet contract specifications and customer requirements. Components and purchased products are subject to the same quality requirements as the company’s own products. “Our understanding of product quality is total,” Bosco Novak says. “Each product must measure up to our high standards concerning features, performance, design and ease of use, the fulfillment of specifications, reliability, serviceability, environmental compatibility, longevity and sustainability, power consumption, operational safety, software integrity, conformity to industry standards, and the low total cost of ownership – while staying competitive. This understanding of quality is reflected in all productrelevant processes and guidelines in planning, development, purchasing, production, service and improvement management.”
Close to the customer for the entire lifecycle
As an independent, privately owned company, Rohde & Schwarz can plan in the long run without having to think in terms of quarters. “The resulting entrepreneurial freedom allows us to orient all our business processes toward sustainability, from product planning and employee loyalty to a trusting partnership with our customers,” Bosco Novak explains. “Sustainability is a principle derived from our basic values. This leads to a sustainability management that uses the following model for structuring and assigning all relevant sustainability topics to one of the five key areas and brings them in alignment with our strategic objectives.”
The security maintenance services of Rohde & Schwarz allow cyber resilience to be maintained for the entire lifecycle of a system, keeping it up to date in terms of patches, signatures and operating systems –
all from one source. These services range from analysis of operational requirements to system design, production and commissioning, as well as lifetime support.
“The company‘s technical and technological expertise and the high in-house production depth, especially at component level, enables us to minimize obsolescence and risks.” With its leading solutions in the areas of Test & Measurement, Technology Systems and Networks & Cybersecurity, the Rohde & Schwarz technology group is one of the pioneers of a secure and networked world. Founded 90 years ago, the group is a reliable partner for its customers from business and the public sector around the world. The ndependent company based in Munich is represented in over 70 countries with a close-knit sales and
service network.
