Laying of the cornerstone for the Innovation and Cybersecurity Centre of the Military University of Technology (WAT)
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Let us remind that on 11 September 2023, Unibep signed an agreement for the construction of the Innovation and Cybersecurity Centre. It will house laboratories and educational facilities of the faculty of the Cybernetics faculty at the Military University of Technology (WAT), as well as the Expert Training Centre for Cybersecurity under the Ministry of National Defence (MON) of the Republic of Poland. The remuneration for the implementation of the investment is approx. PLN 200 million gross, i.e., approx. PLN 163.3 million net. The symbolic laying of the cornerstone for the investment under construction was performed by, among others, Stanisław Wziątek, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of National Defence; Przemysław Wachulak, Brigadier General; Paweł Dziuba, Director of the Cybersecurity Expert Training Centre; Mariusz Frankowski, Voivode of Mazowieckie voivodeship, and Leszek Gołąbiecki, Vice President of the Management Board and Executive Director of Unibep SA. The ceremony was attended by Karol Molenda, Commander of the Cyber Defence Component, Brigadier General; Mariusz Chmielewski, Deputy Commander of the Cyber Defence Component, Brigadier General; Jakub Mykowski, Director of the Military Education Department at the Ministry of National Defence; dr hab. inż. Zbigniew Tarapata, Dean of the Faculty of Cybernetics and Military University of Technology professor, and some representatives of the Ministry of National Defence, the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, the Expert Training Centre for Cybersecurity, and the Military University of Technology. |
Implementation status
“The construction is at the stage of completing the structure of the below-ground portion of the building. Considering the current progress, it can be stated that our team is on track to achieve the scheduled target. So far, the biggest challenge has been the reconstruction of the site’s utility infrastructure. The construction is located at the central point of the University, where most of the underground installations converge. The documentation did not reflect their actual locations, which, combined with the need to allow the ongoing operations of multiple facilities, required perfect recognition, coordination, flexibility, and quick adaptation to changing conditions. Despite the significant complexity of the work completed so far, the biggest challenges ahead involve the implementation of specialised installations and the delivery of non-standard, modern, and precise equipment, as well as coordinating its implementation with finishing works,” said Adam Topolewski, Construction Manager at the Innovation and Cybersecurity Centre of the Military University of Technology (WAT).
The facility stands out for its high degree of technical complexity and cutting-edge technologies, including IT and security installations and state-of-the-art equipment necessary for training top-class specialists in cybersecurity, one of the key directions in the development of the armed forces that currently determines effectiveness on the modern battlefield. The value of the installations and equipment planned in the building exceeds 60% of the investment while the construction works value is just under 40%. The work is being implemented on a closed area with restricted external access, which presents an additional challenge.
General construction dated 11 April 2024, photo by Bartosz Śmiełowski
About the investment
The Innovation and Cybersecurity Centre will be an exceptionally modern complex consisting of two four-storey sections connected by a glass corridor. The total usable area of the facility is close to 9,500 sq. m. One section, designated as Section A, will be allocated to the Ministry of National Defence’s Cybersecurity Expert Training Centre , and partition B will host the faculty of cybernetics at the Military University of Technology (WAT). The building stands out for its modern design combined with the high functionality of its facilities.
The building will include various laboratories, such as the Cyber Polygon, which is a laboratory of war games, Cyber Centre of Excellence (CCOE), a field object tracking systems laboratory with technical facility, the virtual simulation laboratories in battlefield management systems, a mobile systems laboratory, and the capability system laboratory designed to serve as the Analytical Centre for Games and Strategic Analysis. Additionally, there will be technology and manufacturing workshops, such as a circuit board printing workshops, a 3D printing workshops, and a precision machining workshop. The facility will include server rooms, lecture halls, a conference centre, as well as technical and social facilities.
An exceptionally attractive feature of the building will be the dome, which will house a facility with a semi-dome-shaped screen with a radius of six meters. It will be equipped with a virtual simulator, image generators, image processors, projectors, sound systems, computer stations, as well as projectors with sound systems and projection screens. The entire project has been designed with the aim of ensuring not only functionality but also modernity and innovation.