Cyberattacks on wireless networks pose a threat to businesses and society, with risks such as ship rerouting and flight delays.
Mid Sweden University’s STC Research Center, in collaboration with the University of Vaasa in Finland, is developing an AI solution to detect intrusions.
In both Sweden and Finland, companies and public organizations are experiencing increasing cyber intrusions targeting critical infrastructure, with incidents reported in ports, airports, and industrial networks. The threat is particularly urgent in the Baltic Sea, where vessels have been affected by manipulated GPS signals, and in aviation, where network disruptions caused by external interference have prevented planes from taking off on time.
“We investigated whether this issue exists in the Sundsvall region and confirmed multiple intrusion attempts. In Finland, these incidents are even more frequent,” said Mikael Gidlund, professor of Computer Engineering and project leader.
He said the need for protection against network intrusions will continue to grow, and research in this area needs to stay at the forefront.
“We want to understand the real challenges faced by companies and public organizations so we can develop solutions that address them effectively. Both foreign actors and criminal groups are actively targeting networks, making it essential for research to stay ahead and counter these threats.”
The primary goal of the TRUST project, funded by the EU’s Interreg Aurora programme, is to develop an intrusion protection system that can not only detect and alert organizations about attempted breaches but also prevent external manipulation of critical data.
Additionally, the AI-powered interface will tailor alerts and responses to different users within an organization, ensuring that each recipient receives relevant and actionable information.
“An employee on a factory floor needs immediate, actionable information to respond quickly if autonomous machines are hacked, whereas supervisors and top management require detailed insights for strategic decision-making. The goal is to design an interface that effectively delivers the right information to the right people, ensuring timely and informed decision-making,” Gidlund said.
The collaboration between STC and the University of Vaasa is a new partnership that brings advantages, particularly through their complementary expertise.
“At Mid Sweden University, we have deep knowledge of AI and how wireless networks behave indoors, while the University of Vaasa has strong expertise in critical infrastructure and satellite positioning. Together, we cover the necessary competencies to develop an effective solution,” Gidlund concluded.
Jim Cornall is editor of Deeptech Digest and publisher at Ayr Coastal Media. He is an award-winning writer, editor, photographer, broadcaster, designer and author. Contact Jim here.
