The topics of running projects reflect the structure of the research team. Currently, projects focused on cryptographic protocol design and secure infrastructure are run. In particular, the following projects are running in cooperation with industrial partners:
Project name: NESPOQ (Network Cybersecurity in Post-Quantum Era)
Type: MVCR Impakt
Duration: 2021 – 2025
The project is focused on long-term strategic research and development of systems for communication network security. The project will provide data about the efficiency and technical readiness of systems for the protection of critical communication networks, will verify the practical applicability of QKD (quantum key distribution) and PQC (post-quantum cryptography) technologies in applications specific for Czech Republic and will further extend research topics in which Czech Republic is unique and excellent (e.g., optical sensors, hardware-accelerated encryption for >100 Gbps traffic, transmission of ultra-stable quantities). Besides the above-identified topics, the project also contains activities for raising awareness and training of experts, in particular in the state sector.
Project name: SPARTA (Strategic Programs for Advanced Research and Technology in Europe)
Industrial partner: 43 Partners
Type: Horizon 2020
Duration: 2019 – 2022
SPARTA is a novel Cybersecurity Competence Network, supported by the EU’s H2020 program, with the objective to develop and implement top-tier research and innovation collaborative actions. Strongly guided by concrete challenges forming an ambitious Cybersecurity Research & Innovation Roadmap, SPARTA will setup unique collaboration means, leading the way in building transformative capabilities and forming a world-leading Cybersecurity Competence Network across the EU. From basic human needs (health) to economic activities (energy, finance, and transport) to technologies (ICT and industry) to sovereignty (eGovernment, public administration), four research and innovation programs will push the boundaries to deliver advanced solutions to cover emerging challenges.
Project name: National Centre of Competence in Cybersecurity
Industrial partner: 9 partners
Type: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TACR)
Duration: 2019 – 2020
The emergence of the NCC Center is a response to strong demand for products and solutions to ensure cybersecurity of critical and non-critical information infrastructures. The Center brings together top research institutes and long-term cybersecurity industries to do collaborative R&D in cybersecurity solutions at the HW and SW level and mechanisms for certifying security features of the products. With its industry partners, the Center will seek to deploy the solutions in the ever-growing cybersecurity market. It will strengthen the Czech industry and research at European and world level.
Project name: Modular System for Safe Data Collection in Industry 4.0
Industrial partner: IMA, s.r.o.
Type: Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO)
Duration: 2019 – 2021
The project focuses on the current situation where ICT systems are increasingly aggressively attacked in order to harm their activities and users. The issue of SW tools to protect large ICT systems against attacks is intensively developed by a number of reputable companies. Far less attention is devoted to technology and sensory systems, which are increasingly being deployed in the field of manufacturing technologies, IOT and automobiles. The aim of the project is to create a comprehensive security solution “Modular System for Safe Data Collection” (SBSD). The system will be designed so that it can be implemented as a security innovation also on already operating large ID and other technology systems.
Project name: Legal and technical means of privacy protection in cyberspace
Industrial partner: IMA, s.r.o.
Type: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TACR)
Duration: 2019 – 2021
The goal of the project is to develop a technical tool for provable user authentication with strong privacy protection. The project combines research in technical disciplines, particularly in informatics and mathematics, with social sciences, in particular jurisprudence. The main outcome will be implemented as the software for secure authentication. The system will be developed using methods of modern cryptography and will reflect the legal requirements on privacy protection as well as the forensic usability of authentication records.
Project name: Modular Hardware Accelerator for Cryptographic Operations
Industrial partner: Netcope Technologies
Type: Supported by the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic
Duration: 07/2019 – 06/2022
The project deals with modular cryptographic systems for high-speed data networks implemented on programmable network devices. High-level language P4 for description of network data processing is used to achieve modular behavior. Hardware acceleration is made accessible to broad group of IT specialists with no knowledge of FPGA technology and hardware description languages. It significantly speeds up the process of design and flawless implementation of the system to a production environment.
Project name: Cryptographic privacy protection in 100 GbE networks
Industrial partner: Netcope Technologies
Type: Supported by the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic
The project deals with the security of high-speed data communication for critical infrastructure. The main result is the cryptographic protection system for high-speed network devices operating at 10 to 100 Gbps. The system combines strong encryption of data traffic through the FPGA network card and hardware-protected elements (smart cards) for storing encryption keys and performing critical cryptographic algorithms.