Secure cloud & edge platform for critical infrastructures
The IPCEI-CIS creates a “multi-provider cloud-edge continuum”. In terms of interoperability, portability and scalability, an advanced digital infrastructure will be developed that will significantly revolutionize the current offerings in the cloud and edge markets dominated by third-party providers. This will enable the seamless integration of a variety of different new data processing solutions in the European Union in a few years to support novel applications such as autonomous driving.
secunet is itself a provider of cloud and edge products and is pursuing a seamless integration of edge and cloud computing in critical and regulated infrastructures in the “cloud edge continuum” to enable new ways and optimized data processing and storage in distributed networks. Depending on the requirements, data and applications are placed at the edge locations (close to the end devices) or in edge cloud data centers or centralized cloud data centers. This enables faster processing of real-time data or particularly sensitive data at the edge of the network and the organization of a suitable distribution of application components based on similar cloud-native infrastructure services. The new “cloud edge continuum” is crucial for future managed (cloud) services and intersectoral application scenarios.
The three key topics in the project
It forms the technical and strategic basis for the implementation of secunet's platform strategy and the development of platform components.
- Building a uniform development and collaboration platform
- Continuous expansion of developer services
- Automated testing in hardware and software
- Standardization of function modules or platform components as shared components for various platform products
- Development of a regulatory management system
Development of a highly secure edge node with a secure execution environment for various applications (advanced applications in the IPCEI CIS term).
- Implementation of the Edge Security Gateway Platform as a secure edge node
- Implementation of lifecycle management for these edge nodes
- Implementation of separation and client contexts at compute, network and management level with the help of virtualization and cryptographic processes
- Testing of application scenarios such as edge AI solutions, maintenance, simulation or process automation
Development of a secure base platform that ensures cryptographic separation of cloud clients and their workloads and data from each other.
- Development of specially security-hardened components for the separation of workloads and data using virtualization and cryptographic processes
- Demonstrator with encryption of network traffic and integrated virtualization platform
- Design of a fully automated build process for the continuous delivery of consistent software & security quality
Motivation
Cloud and edge technologies are central components of the digital transformation. At the same time, organizations and companies are faced with the challenge of combining the highest security requirements, digital sovereignty and the ability to innovate. With our participation in IPCEI-CIS, we are contributing our many years of experience in developing highly secure IT solutions - with the aim of building a trustworthy European cloud infrastructure that sustainably protects critical infrastructures and at the same time enables new digital opportunities.
Always Moving Forward
With IPCEI-CIS, secunet is making an important contribution to the development of a sovereign, secure and powerful European cloud and edge infrastructure. Our focus is on further expanding existing expertise and making new technologies usable for critical infrastructures. In this way, we are creating the basis for a digital future that combines trust, innovative strength and independence.
- Strengthening European sovereignty: Reducing dependence on non-European providers
- Open standards & interoperability: Helping to shape European cloud and edge architectures
- Scalability: Solutions that can be used flexibly in a wide range of industries
- Sustainability: Efficient use of resources and optimized performance
- Driving innovation: Collaboration with partners for new applications in highly secure data rooms
The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
