ALiEnS-SOC - Digital Europe Project

Funded under the EU Digital Work Program, ALiEnS-SOC aims to develop a robust AI-based cybersecurity framework that will be piloted and validated within the National electro-energy sector's Security Operations Center (SOC). The project focuses on enhancing the detection, interception, and response to security incidents and vulnerabilities, aiming to reduce risks and improve operational efficiency. By fostering better communication and the exchange of information among stakeholders, ALiEnS-SOC seeks to enhance cybersecurity at both the national and EU levels.

The project addresses both operational and technical challenges faced by cybersecurity professionals in the national electro-energy sector. It integrates advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) approaches, featuring AI-driven defense mechanisms, a comprehensive and scalable CTI processing model, digital twin honeypots, and advanced email security. These technologies are tailored to meet the specific needs of both Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) environments, ensuring comprehensive threat detection, incident response, and fraud prevention.

ALiEnS-SOC focuses on six key work packages to achieve its goals. From involving ecosystem analysis and scenario building to understand the current cybersecurity landscape to focusing on the development and deployment of the AI Master System and CTI Platform, ensuring scalable and advanced cybersecurity solutions, real-world validation through two pilots, incorporating 10 use cases in total, which will allow for a practical assessment of the system, and establishing a national and cross-border Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) sharing framework, fostering collaboration beyond national borders and contributing to the development of a commercialization business model. Scale-out and stakeholder engagement are also foreseen, to expand the project’s reach and advancing its mission to foster a resilient, expansive European energy sector.

The ALiEnS-SOC project is a collaborative effort of 13 partners from Slovenia and Croatia, led by ELES, Slovenia's Transmission and Distribution Electric Energy System Operator. Consortium gathers national Distribution System Operators (Elektro Gorenjska, Elektro Celje, Elektro Primorska, Elektro Maribor, Elektro Ljubljana), main Slovenian communications service provider Telekom Slovenije, public cybersecurity agencies (Akademska in raziskovalna mreža Slovenije, Urad Vlade Republike Slovenije za informacijsku varnost), provider of cybersecurity AI-based solutions (SMARTIS), DSO`s security operator (Informatika informacijske storitve in inzeniring), Croatian operation technology provider Končar Digital and well an expert in communication, dissemination and stakeholder engagement strategies Tiko Pro.

Tiko Pro is involved in this project since the project proposal, where we acted as consultancy company co-desining the project. As a consortium member, Tiko Pro is responsible for leading the dissemination efforts within ALiEnS-SOC. As part of the project’s outreach strategy, Tiko Pro will ensure that all stakeholders, including cybersecurity experts, policymakers, and industry players, are informed about the project’s progress and results. By managing communication and dissemination, Tiko Pro will ensure the effective sharing of knowledge, promoting the adoption of the AI Master System and CTI platform, and facilitating collaboration across borders to enhance the cybersecurity capabilities of European energy sectors.

With a total project value of EUR 9.923,822, of which EUR 4.961,911 is co-financed by the European Union, ALiEnS-SOC demonstrates a significant contribution to enhancing cybersecurity resilience within the EU’s critical infrastructure sectors. By leveraging advanced AI technologies and cross-border collaboration, the project ensures the ongoing cybersecurity of the national electro-energy sector, reinforcing the EU’s efforts to protect its digital economy and critical infrastructures.

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed at the website are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre. Neither the European Union nor the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre can be held responsible for them.