W Series and Acronis announce cyber protection and security partnership

W Series, the international single-seater motor racing series for female drivers only, is delighted to announce a new cyber protection and security partnership with Acronis, a global leader in cyber protection.

Under a multi-year agreement, Acronis has become W Series’ new Global Cyber Protection and Security Partner, providing bespoke technology solutions for W Series’ on-track racing programme – which will resume in 2021 – and having already provided bespoke technology solutions for the W Series Esports League, which was run with great success this past summer. Plans are already in place for a bigger and better on-track W Series season in 2021.

Acronis will develop and maintain a secure data management system, improving W Series’ ability to store, analyse and share content with partners. Enhanced by their award-winning artificial intelligence technology, Acronis will implement video and brand analytics of W Series’ on-track and virtual races, thereby accelerating the generation of content through predefined access and filters.

Acronis’ range of cyber protection solutions are developed upon a five-pronged principle which aims to deliver Safety, Accessibility, Privacy, Authenticity, and Security (SAPAS) to organisations and users. This design methodology ensures that Acronis solutions deliver not only the highest calibre of safety and security to data, applications, and systems, but also a guarantee that data is tamper-free and easily accessible for smooth day-to-day operations.

One of Acronis’ leading products that W Series will be using includes Acronis Cyber Protect, which provides fast and reliable backup, AI-powered anti-malware and anti-virus, and comprehensive endpoint management in a single solution. This integrated approach to cyber protection eliminates complexity and makes it simple for users to manage and monitor data across an entire network.

Some of this technology will be delivered by Teknov8, a global provider of cybersecurity solutions that will support Acronis’ partnership with W Series as the Official #CyberFit Delivery Partner.

“Acronis’ innovative and award-winning cyber protection solutions are used by many of the leading automotive companies and sporting organisations around the world,” said Catherine Bond Muir, CEO of W Series. Therefore, today’s announcement of a multi-year partnership against the backdrop of the ongoing global health crisis and the devastating economic impact that has had – is a significant endorsement of W Series and our mission.

“It has become clear in our discussions with Acronis that they are as committed to improving equality and diversity in motorsport as we are, and their bespoke data management system will improve the speed and accuracy with which we can share our content, thereby helping to spread our message further and faster.

“Acronis’ support will be vital as we prepare to resume our on-track racing programme in 2021 with a schedule which is bigger and better than ever before. The W Series Esports League has also kept our drivers sharp and our fans entertained, and Acronis’ commitment to that brand-new platform reflects our own.”

“Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, cyberattacks have increased five-fold. Cybercriminals are ruthlessly targeting a workforce that has largely migrated to working from home on less secure networks,” added Serguei Beloussov, Founder and CEO of Acronis. “Acronis Cyber Protect is perfectly designed to combat this threat, as it allows for system administrators to remotely manage and protect even devices that are not on the same network, so home users can keep both their professional and personal data safe and secure.

“We are honoured to have been chosen to help the W Series team get #CyberFit, and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with the team.”

To find out more about Acronis #CyberFit Sports Partnerships, please visit www.acronis.sport

Guennadi Moukine

Motorsport Technology Editor.