"We can no longer think of resilient digital infrastructure as exclusively a technical problem. If the power grid collapses, everything from hospitals to banks is affected, as we have seen in the recent Spain Blackout case," says Professor Jaziar Radianti at the University of Agder (UiA).
She will lead SERENE (Resilient Mission-Critical Ecosystems for Sustainable Services), a planned centre that will bring together six universities and sixteen partners from industry and the public sector. The goal is to strengthen Norway's ability to prepare and recover quickly after major digital break-down.
"There are complex, interconnected digital infrastructures behind all the vital sectors in society. If one fails, other sectors will be affected. SERENE will help Norway understand and handle these complex threats," says Radianti.
SERENE is one of two proposals from UiA that have progressed in the competition to become a Centre for Research-based Innovation (SFI).
Preparedness and rapid recovery
Traditional IT security often involves building strong defences. SERENE takes a different approach.
"It's not about building higher walls, but about being prepared and getting back on one's feet quickly when crisis strikes. We must accept that we get more vulnerable as we rely more on digital infrastructure," says Radianti.
She stresses that digital attacks will happen, and it is important to work on how we can restore critical services as quickly as possible.
"Understanding critical digital infrastructure is part of it. It is about digital preparedness," she says.
The centre is to work particularly with sectors such as energy, health and maritime activity. These areas are especially vulnerable because they are closely interconnected. An attack on one system can quickly spread to others.
The researchers call this systemic risk. The plan is to develop methods for mapping how such risks spread through interconnected systems.
Practical tools for businesses
SERENE is not only to conduct research, but also deliver ready-to-use solutions.
"Our goal is to create concrete solutions that businesses and municipalities can put to use immediately. We will work closely with our partners to ensure that the research actually solves the problems they face daily," says Radianti.
One of the tools is a model that helps businesses test their own preparedness. This is to show how vulnerable the enterprise is and which measures should be prioritised.
The centre will also develop new exercises for crises. Through realistic simulations, businesses can train on how they should act if they are attacked.
As part of the work, SERENE will examine how artificial intelligence can be used in the fight against digital threats, and enhance emergency management.
"Artificial intelligence can be both our best defence and our greatest vulnerability. At SERENE we will explore how we can use these new technologies in the emergency management activities, and help protecting critical digital infrastructure," says Radianti.
Agder to lead national effort
With SERENE, UiA wishes to lead the work of making Norway digitally safer.
"We have brought together the country's leading environments within critical services, and together we will develop solutions that strengthen the entire society's resilience," says Radianti.
The work will have significance far beyond the involved partners. The solutions developed at UiA are to be usable by all Norwegian businesses and municipalities that wish to strengthen their digital preparedness.
SERENE is in competition with several other Norwegian centres to gain status as a Centre for Research-based Innovation. The final decision will come in December.