How Keeper Security Keeps Williams F1 Ahead In The Cyber Race
In the high-speed world of Formula 1, data plays a huge considerable role in optimising team performance. This also means that F1 teams are more vulnerable to cyberattacks than other...
Formula 1 (F1) is as much synonymous with data as it is with drivers of celebrity status and races through cities across the globe. While the drivers may be the most visible part of F1, victories on the track are as much a product of teamwork and data management as they are of individual skill. Car performance, driver conditions, trackside analytics, and engineering insights all contribute to optimising results. Protecting this valuable information is critical, and for Williams Racing, cybersecurity company Keeper Security plays a key role.
The importance of data
F1’s relationship with data goes back decades. According to James Southerland, VP and Head of Partnerships at Williams Racing, the team has been datalogging cars, drivers, and opponents since the 1980s. Today’s F1 cars are high-tech prototypes that collect enormous amounts of information, including telemetry data, video footage, and even driver physiological metrics.
Williams Racing gathers up to one terabyte of data every race weekend, all of which is essential for refining car performance and race strategy. However, with the increased reliance on data comes the growing threat of cyberattacks. If critical data is lost or breached, it doesn’t just cause inconvenience — it could compromise race results or expose valuable intellectual property.
While sabotage on the racetrack is a dramatic scenario, the more realistic threat comes from cybercriminals targeting intellectual property. They could hold proprietary data for ransom or sell it on the dark web. Protecting this treasure trove of information is where cybersecurity companies like Keeper Security step in.
Partners in racing
Williams Racing’s partnership with Keeper Security is more than just a sponsorship—it’s a strategic alliance. Southerland and Keeper’s CEO, Darren Guccione, both emphasise that this is a partnership built on shared goals rather than simple financial transactions. In F1, where every team operates under strict financial regulations, even the value of products and services from partners is accounted for in the cost cap. This forces teams to be discerning with their budget and choose partners who can directly contribute to success.
In this context, cybersecurity isn’t just a defensive measure — it’s a critical component of competitive strategy. Keeper Security provides Williams with the tools necessary to safeguard their most valuable asset: data.
Keeper’s unique selling point
Unlike traditional cybersecurity services, which often involve a layered approach where each product is purchased and installed separately, Keeper offers a unified platform. This consolidation is particularly appealing to businesses like Williams Racing, where efficiency and security are paramount.
Layered cybersecurity systems, while common, come with inherent risks. Each independent product introduces potential gaps that cyberattacks could exploit. Keeper’s approach integrates password management, encrypted data storage, multi-factor authentication, and other services into a single platform. This reduces the chances of security breaches by ensuring all tools work together seamlessly under one control plane.
For F1 teams like Williams, this means fewer vulnerabilities in their data protection and greater visibility over potential risks.
Added security measures
One of the key advantages Keeper Security offers is enhanced visibility. In a high-performance environment like Formula 1, where the pace of operations is relentless, it’s crucial for teams to know if their systems or employees have been compromised. Keeper’s platform allows administrators to track activity and monitor access to sensitive information.
Another standout feature is Keeper’s ability to scan for compromised credentials. If any of Williams Racing’s login information is detected on the dark web, administrators receive an alert, and Keeper provides tools to rotate those credentials immediately. This proactive approach to cybersecurity helps prevent breaches before they can impact operations.
Furthermore, Keeper’s encrypted data storage ensures that sensitive information stays on the user’s device and is not stored on Keeper’s own servers. This decentralised model provides an additional layer of protection, even in the unlikely event that Keeper itself is compromised.
Addressing Modern Cyber Threats
In today’s digital landscape, traditional methods of password management, like keeping a written log, are no longer sufficient. AI-driven deepfake technology has made phishing attacks more sophisticated, increasing the risk of individuals unknowingly compromising sensitive information. Even something as simple as password management software can prevent phishing by recognising malicious websites before credentials are entered.
Keeper’s platform ensures that Williams Racing is protected against these evolving threats, allowing the team to focus on what matters most — performance on the track.
