News & Events – NORCICS
News & Events
On November 20th and 21st 2024, NTNU CCIS and SFI NORCICS hosted partners and researchers for a two-day event in Oslo.
On November 20th, NTNU CCIS celebrated their 10-year anniversary with a partner conference, focusing on projects that has been through the 10 years and new opportunities and plans going forward.
On day two, November 21st, NTNU CCIS and SFI NORCICS hosted the annual joint conference for the third time. This year’s topics were
Enhancing Cybersecurity and Operational Efficiency through IT-OT Integration: Strategies, Challenges, and Innovations
Trustworthy AI: Balancing Benefits and Risks in Critical Sectors
Exploring the Role of Safety, Security, and Reliability in IT-OT Integration
Secure Digitalization of Industry: Identifying Emerging Threats and Addressing Needs
The day consisted of keynote presentations for each topic, as well as discussions in groups. Some of the center’s researchers also got their one minute of fame through a round of speed-pitches of their work. The pitches were followed by a poster session with mingling and discussion of their projects. This gave the partners a good opportunity to learn more about the diverse research in the center and create closer contact with relevant research projects.
All four keynote presentations, as well as the full program, group work questions and the researchers’ posters can be found on the NORCICS website here: 2024 - NTNU.
Thank you to everyone who participated in Oslo!
Photos: Emil Sjåstad Nyeng
SFI NORCICS arranged a workshop on September 3rd in Hamar, hosted by partner Elvia on the topic “Critical infrastructure in the context of a changing future”. The workshop was opened by Elvia’s deputy CEO John Marius Lynne and the day continued with interesting presentations from NORCICS partners and researchers. Elvia’s Arne Roar Nygård, also in the process of concluding an industry PhD degree, is leading a new activity in NORCICS on “Managing digital supply chain security in cyber-physical systems – understanding NIS2 regulation of OT systems” which the partners spent time discussing.
The NORCICS workshop was arranged in conjunction with the EU project ELECTRON’s (ELECTRON – project (https://lnkd.in/dTbSKujr)) final dissemination event on September 4th in the same location.
NORCICS organized a session during the day, presenting several ongoing activities in the SFI within the energy sector. A general presentation on NORCICS was given by task leader Vasileios Gkioulos (WP5 leader for communication and dissemination); Arne Roar Nygård from Elvia and Jéssica Barbosa Heluany Heluany from NTNU presented their PhD work; and work package leader Tesfaye Zerihun from Sintef Energy presented the activities and results in the NORCICS demonstrator task focusing on the energy sector. Many NORCICS researchers and partners also attended the ELECTRON event.
SFI NORCICS focus area Data Analytics will arrange a one-day workshop on “AI Cyber Resilience in Complex System of Systems” on November 7th, 2024. NORCICS partner Kongsberg (Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace) will host and arrange the workshop in the KDA locations at Asker Panorama.
It is still possible to register for the event, through this link: https://lnkd.in/dt6Z3pdm
The workshop intends to raise awareness of the need for cyber-secure design and end-to-end cyber-resilience testing of autonomous systems where remote sensing, machine-to-machine communication, information processing, analysis, planning, reasoning, and execution are performed without human interaction.
The ultimate goal of the workshop is to develop a research strategy fostering cooperation across partners within SFI NORCICS.
The format of the workshop is a mix of inspirational talks by accomplished researchers from the industry and sessions involving all the participants.
Meet the NORCICS PhDs and PostDocs – Jessica Barbosa Heluany - Part 2
With the rise in cyber attacks, it is more important than ever to address system vulnerabilities to keep our digital spaces secure. Furthermore, it’s becoming mandatory for asset owners to have a security strategy plan, otherwise, fines can be applied. The NIS 2 Directive requires that by October 18, 2024, asset owners must implement cybersecurity risk-management measures, including vulnerability handling and disclosure. To tackle part of this challenge in collaboration with Siemens Energy AG, we proposed a structured approach to vulnerability management by using well-known industrial standards and the innovative concept of digital twins.
Visit to the National Smart Grid Laboratory and Beyond 5G Laboratory
In connection with the NTNU CCIS and SFI NORCICS joint conference 2023, a visit to the National Smart Grid Laboratory and Beyond 5G Laboratory was also hosted at the NTNU campus in Trondheim on November 23rd.
In the National Smart Grid Laboratory, participants were shown the lab with the state-of-the-art infrastructure for R&D, where demonstration, verification, and testing over a wide range of Smart Grid use cases is done.
For the 5G lab, which provides access to a state-of-the-art industrial 5G solution and programmable network devices, participants got the chance to gain hands-on experience with 5G systems.
Meet the NORCICS PhDs and PostDocs – Touseef Sadiq
Meet Touseef Sadiq, a PhD researcher at the Center of Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR) at the University of Agder, Norway. Touseef's current research focuses on exploring deep multimodal learning for descriptive object identification and tracking in urban environments. His role within NORCICS Task 3.4 pertains to, "Humanized Deep Learning & Big Data Analytics"(NORCICS Task 3.4).
Quotes from our partners on the value of partnership in an SFI:
SINTEF Energy Research is an institute for applied research dedicated to creating innovative energy solutions. Security of electricity supply and Smart Grids (with integrated electric vehicles) are strategic areas of high priority To enable the transition to a secure cyber-physical electricity system, cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and solutions need to be understood and dealt with.
Read more
Meet the NORCICS PhDs and PostDocs - Trond Vatten
Trond Vatten is pursuing his Ph.D. at NTNU in Trondheim, at the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology, within NORCICS' work package 3 task 3.1: “5G and beyond as an element of critical services”. His work focuses on making modern mobile networks (5G, 6G) secure, robust, and survivable enough to work as a communication network for the critical infrastructures of the future.
SFI NORCICS workshops June 5th and 6th in Gjøvik
Today, we introduce you to the third task in WP4
T 4.3: Secure Distributed Healthcare.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
It's time for our fourth work package. Today we introduce you to the first task in WP4.
T4.1: Secure cyber-physical electricity system.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Let us start the week by introducing you to our seventh WP3 task,
T3.7: Reverse Engineering Lab.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Today we introduce you to our sixth task in WP3,
T3.6 :Autonomous Adaptive Security for 5G-enabled IoT.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Our Ph.D. candidate Sebastian Grøsvik provides an overview of his work in Task 3.10 "Secure and dependable network softwarization for 5G and beyond".
If you wish to know more about the research, you can contact Mr. Grøsvik on his email: sebastian.grosvik@ntnu.no
NORCICS center director Sokratis Katsikas explains the use of digital twins in this article written in collaboration with Jotne AS.
The article was published as part of a campaign initiated by Nasjonal Sikkerhetsmyndighet (NSM) in Dagens Næringsliv earlier this year.
See the campaign and read the full article on page 39 here:
Here is our third task in WP3, T3.3: Cyber Physical Range.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Our Ph.D. candidate Trond Vatten provides an overview of his work in Task 3.1 "Assessing 5G and beyond as an element of critical services".
If you wish to know more about the research, you can contact Mr. Vatten on his email: trond.vatten@ntnu.no
Let us introduce you to our T2.5: Security and awareness training with serious games.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Let us introduce you to our T2.4: Human side of secure Industry 4.0.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
📢 📢 📢 Vacant positions in NORCICS 📢 📢 📢
We are glad to announce that NORCICS has opened two new positions, a PhD candidate and a postdoctoral fellow.
For anyone interested, do not miss your chance, check the job description and apply.
PhD Candidate in Reference Systems for a Cyber-Physical Range:
https://lnkd.in/dvUZ5njs
Postdoctoral Fellow in Cybersecurity of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS):
https://lnkd.in/dP5PDPr5
Call for collaboration!
In this video, our Ph.D. Jessica B. Heluany gives you an overview of her research on digital twins. As part of task 2.3 of NORCICS, she focused on energy systems and selected patch management as a security use case. Therefore, it is an opportunity to join forces between industry and academia. We would love to get insights and feedback from experts in the field! Please join us in this journey if you are interested in taking part in this patch management digital twin project!”
Meet the NORCICS PhDs and PostDocs – Shao-Fang Wen (Steven)
In today's digitally interconnected world, system security is not just a technical necessity but a cornerstone for maintaining the integrity of our socio-economic web. The dynamic and complex nature of cybersecurity presents an array of challenges, making System Security Assurance (SSA) a critical and evolving discipline.
Read moreOur Ph.D. candidate Vyron Kampourakis provides an overview of his work in Task 3.3 "A Secure Infrastructure for Cyber Ranges".
If you wish to know more about the research, you can contact Mr. Kampourakis on his email: vyron.kampourakis@ntnu.no
Meet the NORCICS PhDs and PostDocs – Vyron Kampourakis
Vyron Kampourakis received his M.Eng. degree in Computer Engineering and Informatics from the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics, School of Engineering, University of Patras, Greece. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the Dept. of Information Security and Communication Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. His research interests lie in the fields of network, critical infrastructure, and cyber-physical systems security. Currently, he is working within the NORCICS’ Work Package 3: Technologies, applications, and services.
Quotes from our partners on the value of partnership in an SFI
As a global chemical industrial company, Yara International is exposed to many risks, challenges, threats, and regulations in relation to cybersecurity. Critical infrastructure continues to become a focus area in terms of regulation across the globe and we see things like 5G security, NIS2, and the Al Act getting more immediate focus which helps balance the longer-term view typical within this space.
Quotes from our partners on the value of partnership in an SFI
Hydro engaged with NORCICS from the very start to engage with and strengthen innovation and improvement work on cybersecurity. The NORCICS' focus on security for critical infrastructure coincides with our own. We can work with specific projects where both parties get value while providing good research and development in academia. We also appreciate being part of a network of security professionals spanning academia and industry partners.
IIK/NORCICS will participate in the newly approved, 4-year COST Action BEiNG-WISE. By means of collaboration at the intersection of cybersecurity, wireless communication technology, data science, sociology, psychology, and law, BEiNG-WISE aims to "better understand human beings in wireless security systems and how to design usable security solutions."
More information on the action, its objectives, and how to join the project can be found here
Our fourth work package continues with the second task
T4.2: Secure industry 4.0.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Here we are again, starting our week by introducing you to a new task in WP3.
T3.8: Secure broadcasting in wireless critical systems.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Our research partner UiA in sunny Grimstad hosted the center's annual research workshop on April 27th, where researchers from SFI NORCICS gathered for updates on the center's various work packages and focus areas.
During the day, researchers presented their research results and discussed further collaborations and work.
Cyber security - It is time to change the narrative.
By Vasileios Gkioulos
Our postdoctoral researcher Dr. Shao-Fang Wen provides an overview of his work in Task 3.9 "Assurance aware ontology-based scenario management framework for cyber ranges".
If you wish to know more about the research, you can contact Dr. Wen on his email: shao-fang.wen@ntnu.no
Ingvar Tjøstheim from the Norwegian Computer Center (NR), and Pål Skretting from Hydro provide an overview of their collaboration in Task 2.6 " Awareness training with gamification for employees at Hydro".
If you wish to know more about the research, you can contact Ingvar on his email: ingvar@nr.no
Let us introduce you to our task T3.2: Building cyber resilience into the critical sectors digital ecosystem.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Ph.D. candidate Touseef Sadiq from the university of Agder provides an overview of his collaboration with NORCICS onTask 3.4 "Humanized Deep Learning & Big Data Analysis".
If you wish to know more about the research, you can contact Mr. Sadiq on his email:touseef.sadiq@uia.no
Our associate professor Dr. Arvind Sharma provides an overview of Task 3.7 Reverse Engineering Lab.
If you wish to know more about the research, you can contact Dr. Sharma on his email:arvind.sharma@ntnu.no
Check out NORCIC's newsletter for November 2024.
Exciting events are announced.
https://pub.dialogapi.no/v/50c00de1-7249-4773-81fb-315e88becc5f
Looking forward to your feedback.
Meet the NORCICS PhDs and PostDocs – Gizem Erceylan
Recently, there has been an observable increase in cyberattacks targeting the manufacturing sector, a trend that continues to escalate. Investigations attribute this rise primarily to the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies. The emergence of Industry 4.0, with technologies like IoT, cloud computing, and digital twins, has led to improved communication among components of Industrial Control Systems (ICS). Due to the expanding attack surface, conventional security measures used in the manufacturing sector are no longer sufficient and the lack of security protocols for ICS networks makes them more vulnerable to attacks. Therefore, it is crucial to address potential threats and attacks with new techniques for secure Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems (ICPS).
Check out our newsletter for December 2023.
We wish everyone a happy holiday ☺
NTNU CCIS and SFI NORCICS hosted a joint conference on November 22nd in Trondheim.
The conference gathered experts from industry, academia, regulatory, and standardization bodies, and provided a unique opportunity to meet and exchange insights and strategies for dealing with the evolving threats in the field.
The conference included engaging keynotes and group discussions within topics on the societal implications of cyber security, artificial intelligence, and crypto engineering, as well as the outcomes produced by NORCICS in the past three years and how these results are and could be utilized by the industry.
We want to thank everyone who had the opportunity to join us in Trondheim for a very interesting day. We hope to see you again for our annual event next year!
Photos: Kai Dragland, NTNU
Check out our newsletter for October 2023.
Quotes from our partners on the value of partnership in an SFI:
Norway is among the most digitalized countries in the world. NORCICS's vision is to make Norway the most securely digitalized country in the world by improving its critical sectors' cybersecurity and resilience through supporting research-based innovation. Elvia, an electric grid company supporting over 2 million people in central parts of Norway with electric power, supports NORCICS vision and participates actively in research activities. Elvia focuses on several NORCICS projects, especially IT OT integration and security in the cyber-physical environment. An essential issue for Elvia is "How can the security of equipment of different vendors be systematically verified to support the digital transformation of the power infrastructure?"
Quotes from our partners on the value of partnership in an SFI
Mnemonic is an industry partner in NORCICS, a member of the board, and leading the focus area of "data analytics”
The experience so far is that participation has given us significant value. Our participation provides a great opportunity to better understand the research landscape, access to relevant and valuable discussions, access to highly skilled researchers and potential research partners, and access to participate in relevant research activities. All of this is not easily accessible in an arbitrary industry community and, in the context of an SFI, requires a low effort compared to the value extracted from the participation.
Its time for our final task in WP4,
T4.4: Secure Smart Districts.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Our center director, Professor Sokratis Katsikas has a temporary position as a minister in Greece. Follow the link for the full article
New week, new task to introduce. This week's task is the ninth in our third WP.
T 3.9: Assurance aware ontology-based scenario management framework for cyber range.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
A wonderful workshop was held in Trondheim in late March with FME CINELDI: Centre for Intelligent Electricity Distribution on cyber security in cyber-physical electricity grids.
Read more about it in this SINTEF Blog
We are excited to introduce you to our fifth task in WP3,
T3.5: Codes for sub-millisecond latencies in 5G and beyond networks.
We are looking forward to hearing from you
We are pleased to share the SFI NORCICS Annual Report for 2022.
Please see the full report here for an update on the activities in the center in 2022.
Today we introduce you to our fourth task in WP3, T3.4: Humanised Deep Learning & Big-data Analytics.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Our Ph.D. candidate Jessica Barbosa Heluany provides an overview of her work in Task 2.3 "Digital Twin security models and mechanism".
If you wish to know more about the research, you can contact Mrs. Heluany on her email: jessica.b.heluany@ntnu.no.
Today, we introduce you to the first task of our 3rd work package (WP3)
Task 3.1: Assessing 5G and beyond as an element of critical services.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Our Ph.D. candidate Arnstein Vestad provides an overview of his work in Task 4.3 "Demonstrators for Distributed Healthcare".
If you wish to know more about the research, you can contact Mr. Vestad on his email: arnstein.vestad@ntnu.no
