UK NCSC Unveils SilentGlass Hardware to Block Display Port Cyber Attacks
The UK National Cyber Security Centre has developed SilentGlass, a plug-and-play hardware device that protects HDMI and DisplayPort connections from malicious data injection, now licensed to Goldilock Labs for global commercial sale.
The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has developed and commercialized a novel hardware device called SilentGlass that protects video display connections—HDMI and DisplayPort—from cyber attacks. Announced at the CYBERUK conference, the device is designed to block unexpected or malicious data flowing between a computer and its monitor, addressing a widely overlooked attack surface in enterprise and critical national infrastructure (CNI) environments.
SilentGlass is a plug-and-play hardware filter that sits between a computer's video output and the display. It actively inspects the data stream and blocks any traffic that does not conform to expected display protocols. The NCSC assesses that monitors are 'highly likely' to be targeted by threat actors for espionage, network access, or financial gain, as they process and display sensitive data yet are rarely treated as security boundaries.
The device has already been deployed across UK government estates and has received approval for use in the highest-threat environments. The NCSC licensed the intellectual property to Goldilock Labs, a UK-based small business specializing in cyber security innovation, following a competitive process. Goldilock Labs has partnered with Sony UK Technology Centre to manufacture the device, which is now available globally.
SilentGlass, the underlying technology, originated from NCSC-led research into hardware interface security. The device reflects a strategic shift toward treating physical connectivity as a point of control rather than an assumed trust boundary. By enforcing behavior at the hardware level before data reaches complex software stacks, SilentGlass aims to close a gap that supply chain risks, third-party servicing, and direct physical access have long exposed.
The commercial launch of SilentGlass marks a rare instance of a national security agency directly engineering and licensing a hardware security product for broad commercial use. Stephen Kines, Co-Founder of Goldilock Labs, stated that the partnership enables rapid global adoption by governments and risk-conscious organizations, positioning the device as a flagship example of how government intellectual property can drive national prosperity.
SilentGlass is now available for purchase by CNI operators and businesses. The NCSC expects the device to see widespread adoption, particularly in sectors where display security has been historically neglected. The device's plug-and-play nature and low cost relative to traditional mitigations make it accessible for organizations of all sizes.
This development underscores a growing recognition that hardware interfaces—often dismissed as passive conduits—represent a viable attack vector. As threat actors increasingly target peripheral connections, SilentGlass offers a practical, deployable solution that turns high-assurance innovation into a market-ready product.