European Cluster for Securing Critical Infrastructures

R²D² is set to make significant contributions to the European Cluster for Securing Critical Infrastructures (ECSCI) by focusing on strengthening the security and resiliency of power systems. ECSCI, which comprises a cluster of European projects, serves as a platform for sharing advancements in security and resilience within critical infrastructure.

The objective of this engagement is to facilitate the exchange of findings related to the prevention and mitigation of cascading events, cyber-threat intelligence, and other factors influencing the resiliency and security of electrical systems with fellow cluster participants.

R²D² project coordinator, Ugo Stecchi, emphasizes the significance of this involvement, stating, “It will be a valuable opportunity to share our accumulated knowledge not only with stakeholders in the energy sector but also with experts from various critical infrastructure domains. We can exchange best practices and procedures, thus contributing to the ongoing discourse on the state-of-the-art of critical infrastructure security.”

ECSCI’s primary goal is to create synergies and promote innovative solutions to security challenges through collaborative efforts and innovation across projects. Research endeavors will center on safeguarding critical infrastructures and services, emphasizing the distinctive approaches adopted by the clustered projects and building robust connections with closely related and complementary H2020 projects. To promote cluster activities, ECSCI plans to organize international conferences and national or international workshops, engaging policymakers, industry representatives, academics, practitioners, and delegates from the European Commission.”

The R²D² Project completed its first year of life during which the technical and scientific foundations were laid for the development of its four products. In these first twelve months, several activities have advanced the development of the project, in the field of the resiliency, reliability, cyber-, physical and operational security. The use cases, requirements and architecture have been defined, the software design and functional descriptions of the four products have been completed, and the development phase of the four products has finally begun. The project will be validated in four pilot sites (including TSOs and DSOs), which have completed a monitoring and survey of the available IT and OT infrastructure, and of the applicable regulation and legislation relating to the (cyber) resiliency of electrical systems. Finally, in this first year, R²D² has been active in confirming its presence in the various forums and initiatives at European level to communicate and disseminate its objectives, and the innovations proposed by the project.

The R²D² project attended a large community of IT and technology professionals from all walks of life that has helped build the Infocom Security conference and the IT Security Professional magazine, where had the opportunity to meet again in a new, refreshed space, covering the demands of this top event.

The Athens Conservatory on April 26 & 27 became a meeting and networking place for IT department executives (CTOs, CIOs, CISOs, IT Managers, IT Auditors – Engineers – Administrators, Risk & Compliance Managers, DPOs, etc.) from companies and organizations of all vertical markets in the Private and Public sectors, as well as professionals from the IT channel, companies active in the implementation of projects and the provision of IT solutions and services, as well as for many academics, scientists and researchers.

R²D² was part of the event which took place in Bilbao in a hybrid format.

The Workshop provided a unique opportunity to learn about R&I projects around Europe and contribute to the identification of R&I gaps, challenges and priorities. The agenda included a visit to Iberdrola’s Global Smart Grids Innovation Hub and Smart Mobility Lab (more information at the bottom).

The overall purpose of this event was to learn more about national and regional research, development and innovation (RDI) and how and if they are aligned to the RDI activities on the EU level and, specifically, to the ones identified in the ETIP SNET Implementation Plan 2022-2025 and that were the base of the High Levell Use Cases in the updated ETIP SNET Roadmap, expected by mid-February 2023.

To that end, the ETIP SNET invited the representatives of national and regional funding and support programmes from Western Europe (Spain, France, Portugal, Ireland and the UK) that met and discuss together with the EC, national funding authorities and ministries about RDI priorities and next funding programmes.