New AI project aims to prevent cyberattacks on wireless networks

Both Sweden and Finland, companies and public organisations 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, says Mikael Gidlund, Professor of Computer Engineering and project leader from the Mid Sweden University.

– In the current global situation, the cybersecurity of easily vulnerable wireless systems is increasingly important, especially in critical infrastructure. The TRUST project brings together the expertise of the University of Vaasa and Mid Sweden University and aims to develop AI-based solutions to detect and combat these cybersecurity threats, says Professor Heidi Kuusniemi from the University of Vaasa.

The project, funded by the EU’s Interreg Aurora program, primary goal is to develop an intrusion protection system that can not only detect and alert organisations 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 organisation, 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, explains Mikael Gidlund.

The collaboration between STC and the University of Vaasa is a new partnership that brings significant 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, says Mikael Gidlund.

The need for protection against network intrusions will continue to grow, and research in this area needs to stay at the forefront, he emphasizes. 

– We want to understand the real challenges faced by companies and public organisations 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, says Mikael Gidlund.

The project is funded with just over 11 million SEK and runs until 29 February, 2028.