Welcome to UKTL
–leading the way to a secure and resilient telecoms future in the UK.
About UKTL
The UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL) is the UK’s national telecoms security and resilience testing and research facility, operated by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). UKTL is recognised as a leading centre of excellence in telecoms security, delivering world-class test and evaluation capabilities to safeguard the UK’s telecoms infrastructure. As a trusted, independent facility in the heart of the UK, our expertise and proactive collaboration with industry, academia and government drive innovation and economic growth in the UK.
Our goals:
Our core responsibilities:
Testing of telecoms network equipment and software that are configured to represent live network deployments. Testing is guided by the UK’s regulatory environment and best practice, referencing artefacts such as the Vendor Security Assessment issued by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). It is working toward a ‘test once, benefit all’ model.
Advanced vulnerability research into the security of existing and emergent communications technologies to safeguard the UK’s connectivity networks, end-to-end across our critical national telecoms infrastructure.
Vendor functionality and secure interoperability testing of equipment and software. Testing will evaluate the security of new interfaces arising in disaggregated network functions, establish whether equipment can securely interoperate with other devices and provide insights.
UKTL offers a capability no other lab in the UK currently can. Securing modern telecoms networks requires a complex and unique blend of skills (telecoms, IT networks, IT platforms, virtualisation and containerisation). By leveraging these, we play a major role at the forefront of telecoms standardisation, innovation and research.
True independent testing of equipment is rare. We employ the brightest minds to deliver cutting edge testing and research to make it happen. UKTL is committed to collaboration, delivering valuable work that reassures industry, government and academia, and we support the telecoms sector in its efforts to align with the world leading Telecoms Security Act and Code of Practice. We will put the UK on the map as a world leader in open and interoperable networking, actively shaping the future of the nation’s digital infrastructure.
Current vacancies
“UKTL is a foundational component of our strategy for ensuring and assuring the cybersecurity of both current and future telecommunications technologies and networks. By building this unique national laboratory, we enable mission collaboration between experts across government, industry, and academia to achieve outcomes that would not otherwise be possible. UKTL facilitates experts across the cybersecurity and telecommunications sectors to work together on real-world equipment and networks, collectively developing the understanding and capability to manage those threats and vulnerabilities that pose national security risks.”
“Connectivity is critical to the UK’s resilience and prosperity. Securing our networks requires collaboration across government, industry and academia – and UKTL provides the national capability to make that possible. By identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, UKTL is safeguarding the systems that keep our country connected and competitive.”
“Leveraging technology to create a better and safer world is a driving force of the West Midlands business ecosystem. By nurturing innovation to shape the future of global telecoms and cybersecurity networks, UKTL exemplifies this mission and we look forward to supporting their continued growth at Solihull’s UK Central.”
Key stakeholders
UKTL is funded by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and works with a range of partners including the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Ofcom, The UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN), Digital Catapult and West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC).
UKTL works in collaboration with primary operators and vendors to keep the UK safe, we contribute to telecoms security research and engage with innovation and skills development communities across the UK.
