Indra collaborates on a new European security platform for embedded systems

Spanish technology multinational Indra will bring its expertise in infrastructure protection in the nSHIELD R&D project, involving seven EU countries, which aims to improve the safety conditions of the next generation of embedded systems to ensure reliability, security and privacy of sensitive data and critical applications.

Indra collaborates on the nSHIELD project, which aims to facilitate the widespread use of technology in safe conditions within embedded critical systems. nSHIELD es una iniciativa de I+D, promoted and funded by the European Union within the 7th Framework Programme, who has a budget of 13 million euros and has an implementation period of three years. It involves, in addition to Spain, other European countries such as Italy, Greece, Norway, Hungary, Sweden and Slovenia. nSHIELD will establish a reference architecture that enables dynamic and intelligent composition of heterogeneous devices and services for security applications. In addition, will make possible the emergence of a new generation of embedded systems, enriched with innovative security features. Also, provide a semantic framework for automatically adapting reliability and security capabilities in different domains.

The purpose of nSHIELD is to create a standard application platform in embedded or embedded systems that ensures the security and reliability of communications and transmissions while respecting user privacy. Embedded systems are computer applications, common use in everyday life, designed to meet specific user needs and integrated into other general control systems. A vehicle's GPS navigators, train or aircraft information systems, Taximeters, access control systems, electronics that control vending machines or systems that manage the operation of industrial processes would be some examples of such applications.

The nSHIELD project will reduce the security challenges involved in using these systems, especially in complex products and critical infrastructures. nSHIELD will provide a secure framework for information contained by embedded applications and information they transmit over private networks and the Internet. To do this, the proposal calls for the development of new SPD technologies (Security, Privacy & Dependability) to advance the development and reuse of existing embedded systems, improving these capabilities and enriching them with a greater willingness to integrate into other systems. In addition, this feature will minimize costs and reduce design time for embedded applications.

The resulting platform can be used in multiple scenarios of everyday life, although it will initially be tested in the rail and aviation sectors, socially in situations related to mobility and networks, and those technologies based on facial and voice recognition. On a plane or train, For example, the solution will provide the entire security system with unique conditions, avoiding failures and providing protection against possible attacks by malicious agents. The solution will create a secure communication framework between sensors and control units, avoiding any possible manipulation by hackers. Through a comprehensive and comprehensive application, nSHIELD establishes a secure environment that ensures confidentiality and privacy across the system.

Secure communications

Indra will ensure reliable connectivity and ensure that communication systems over wireless networks are secure. Among other possibilities, Thanks to the company's technology embedded applications may be 'capable' of detecting malicious users or intruders in the system, find secure pathways for communications between routers or authenticate network resources without having to use a central certification based solely on individual certifications. The tech multinational, In addition, will be responsible for exploiting the product in the scenarios chosen for validation.

Recently, nSHIELD has reached the second milestone of the project, having made public the reference architecture and the necessary requirements during the annual review held in Rome last October.

The project is part of the European technology platform ARTEMIS, which aims to bring together the main players in the field of embedded computer systems, covering the different industrial sectors through the 17 companies that make up this initiative. One of its main tasks has been to define a common Strategic Research Agenda, as a reference within embedded system domains, to encourage investment from stakeholders in this area.

Project partners

The nSHIELD consortium has the participation of seven European Union countries (Italy, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Slovenia, Norway, Sweden) and is made up of companies, universities and research centres. Partners are: Selex Galileo, Ansaldo STS, Accordion Technologies, Isi / Athena, Selex Elsag, Tecnalia Research Foundation & Innovation, I.P.S Sistemi Programmabili - Eurotech Security, Hellenic Aerospace Industry, Indra Software Labs, Integrated Systems Development, Movation AS, Mondragó University, Alfatroll, SEARCH-LAB, SESM scarl, Swedish Institute of Computer Science, T2 Data AB, Telcred, THYIA, Technical University of Crete and the Universities of Genoa, Udina and Rome (La Sapienza).

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