Providing Resilient & secure networks [Operating on Trusted Equipment] to CriTical infrastructures (PROTECT)
Research Project, 2021
– 2024
The primary objective of the AI-NET research program is to Accelerate digital transformation in Europe by Intelligent NETwork automation at each network segment, i.e., edge, metro, core, and data centers. To this end, the program will provide enablers and solutions for high-performance services deployed and operated over the access/edge, metro, and core infrastructures. According to the AI-NET vision, high-level languages and tools will be exposed to a service developer, to simplify the development of new services and enable flexible specification of performance requirements. Once developed, service deployment and setup are managed by an intent-based software-defined network management and control, which transfers service requirements to detailed operational procedures and end-to-end network configurations, for the fulfillment of the service requirements over its lifetime.
The primary focus of the AI-NET-PROTECT sub-project is to provide automated, resilient, and secure networks (operated on trusted equipment) for critical infrastructures and enterprises. AI-NET-PROTECT will ensure the protection of critical data, adherence to network performance requirements (e.g., latency, throughput, availability), and the security of the infrastructure itself (i.e., against tampering and attacks). To achieve these objectives, the project will develop a scalable network and node architecture composed of a mix of open and purpose-built hardware and software, including Whiteboxes. Network telemetry and intent-based software-defined network management and control will provide zero-touch provisioning and support artificial-intelligence-based automation of end-to-end services. Strong security, based on multi-layer cryptography, and quantum-safe algorithms will form an integral part of the developed architecture.
The Swedish partners in AI-NET-PROTECT share the same vision that automation is a clear prerequisite for the efficient use of a heterogeneous and flexible network infrastructure which is programmable across all its components (i.e., from basic connectivity setup, to open and scalable node architectures and to fully virtualized network functions and application components). For this reason, the Swedish consortium of the AI-NET-PROTECT will research and develop technologies specific for an automated and secure communication infrastructure characterized by a mix of basic technologies for virtualization platforms and connectivity resources supporting critical services in customized network slices. To manage the resulting complexity, the Swedish consortium will take advantage of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques to complement or replace traditional optimization and prediction algorithms. Key use cases for the use of AI/ML will be: performance optimization, proactive fault and anomaly detection, penetration and vulnerability testing, and security incident management.
Participants
Paolo Monti (contact)
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks
Ehsan Etezadi
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks
Marija Furdek Prekratic
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks
Rui Lin
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks
Carlos Natalino Da Silva
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks
Leyla Sadighi
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks
Lena Wosinska
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks
Collaborations
ADVA Optical Networking
Munchen, Germany
BISDN GmbH
Berlin, Germany
Clavister AB
Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
dacoso GmbH
Hamburg, Germany
Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute
Goslar, Germany
Infosim GmbH & Co. KG
Wurzburg, Germany
Lunet AB
Luleå, Sweden
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
Göteborg, Sweden
Savantic AB
Stockholm, Sweden
Swedish Defence Materiel Administration
Stockholm, Sweden
Swedish Defence Materiel Administration
Stockholm, Sweden
Technical University of Munich
Muenchen, Germany
Technische Universität Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Technische Universität Chemnitz
Chemnitz, Germany
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Darmstadt, Germany
Technische Universität Dresden
Dresden, Germany
Telia
Solna, Sweden
University of Kiel
Kiel, Germany
University of Koblenz and Landau
Koblenz am Rhein, Germany
University of Ulm
Ulm, Germany
VPIphotonics GmbH
Berlin, Germany
Waystream AB
Stockholm, Sweden
Funding
VINNOVA
Project ID: 2020-03506
Funding Chalmers participation during 2021–2024
Related Areas of Advance and Infrastructure
Information and Communication Technology
Areas of Advance
Innovation and entrepreneurship
Driving Forces