NCSC-backed device aims to block risky display connections

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has announced a new hardware device designed to reduce the risk posed by display connections, with the product being unveiled at CYBERUK, the government’s annual cyber security conference.

Called SilentGlass, the plug-and-play device is intended to stop unexpected or malicious activity across HDMI and DisplayPort links between computers and monitors. The NCSC said it developed the underlying intellectual property and has licensed Goldilock Labs to manufacture and sell the product worldwide in partnership with Sony UK Technology Centre.

According to the NCSC, screens and monitors can be an overlooked entry point for attackers because they often handle valuable or sensitive information and may be used to gain access for espionage, disruption or financial gain. The agency said traditional protections can be expensive or inefficient, particularly as the number of connected devices continues to grow.

What SilentGlass is designed to do

• Block unauthorised or suspicious connections between laptops and displays
• Reduce exposure to attacks that target physical display interfaces
• Provide a low-cost option for organisations with high security requirements
• Support use in government, critical infrastructure and commercial settings

The device has already been deployed in some government environments and has been approved for use in high-threat situations. Its commercial release marks the first time an NCSC-engineered product has been licensed for use with NCSC branding.

NCSC chief technology officer Ollie Whitehouse said the project demonstrates how the agency can work with industry to turn security research into practical products. Goldilock Labs said the technology addresses a gap in how hardware interfaces are secured, arguing that physical connections are often treated as trusted by default even though they can be exposed through supply chains, servicing or direct access.

The companies said the goal is to make stronger protection for display links easier to deploy across businesses and public-sector organisations, while broadening access to technology that was previously reserved for more restricted national security settings.