CYBERSECURITY
The Cybersecurity and IT Architectures research line at ITCL is focused on developing secure, scalable solutions tailored to the most demanding digital and industrial environments. This line works closely with companies to design and implement resilient technological infrastructures capable of handling large volumes of data while ensuring the security, confidentiality, integrity, and availability of that information.
Our work centers on the design and implementation of secure, distributed architectures, including on-premise, cloud, edge, and fog computing infrastructures. These solutions are built following principles of Security by Design and Defense in Depth, incorporating proactive measures against cyber threats.
We develop and integrate advanced mechanisms for authentication, encryption, continuous monitoring, and intrusion detection, applied to both corporate systems and industrial or critical infrastructures. We also focus on the application of cybersecurity standards and best practices such as ISO 27001, NIST, and compliance with specific sectoral regulations.
Additionally, we design and validate secure architectures for connected environments such as Smart Cities, Smart Energy systems, and Factories of the Future (FoF), where distributed systems must ensure the protection of devices, communications, and sensitive data.
Our experience in R&D projects spans the entire country, collaborating with companies that require robust and cybersecure technological environments as the foundation for their digital transformation and evolution towards connected, intelligent industrial models.
CYBERSECURITY CAPABILITIES
GOVERNANCE, RISK, AND COMPLIANCE
- Threat identification and risk assessment related to information security that could impact assets and business continuity.
- Definition of policies and regulations to implement an effective cybersecurity strategy that protects information and ensures regulatory compliance.
- Awareness and training to promote a cybersecurity culture among employees and encourage good practices and skills to identify risks.
- Alignment with standards and frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, CIS, etc.).
SECURE ARCHITECTURE AND SYSTEM DESIGN
- Design of secure network architectures based on principles like Zero Trust, least privilege, and defense in depth.
- Secure integration of IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) environments.
- Development of secure and robust systems applying security-by-design from the outset.
- Analysis of requirements and characteristics of each application individually, using secure software development practices.
DATA SECURITY
- Implementation of measures to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of an organization’s critical data.
- Integration of post-quantum cryptography algorithms into systems, including low-performance devices (microcontrollers) or FPGAs, to ensure resistance against quantum attacks.
- Development of blockchain-based solutions to ensure data integrity and traceability.
- Application in various environments: healthcare, industrial, automotive, etc.
CYBERSECURITY LABORATORY
- Simulation of an IT/OT environment through a hybrid (physical and virtual) lab to carry out attacks in a controlled and isolated setting on any part of the topology.
- Evaluation of various architectures, configurations, and security tools to test their effectiveness and compare different security approaches.
- Analysis of vulnerabilities, mitigation strategies, response protocols, etc., across diverse scenarios to ensure the security of industrial environments or critical infrastructures.
- Generation of datasets to train AI models, using data from network traffic, malware, event logs, etc
THREAT MONITORING AND DETECTION
- Application of artificial intelligence techniques to detect anomalies in communications and processes.
- Deployment of monitoring systems with real-time detection capabilities and alert visualization on dashboards.
- Use of honeypots to research real-world threats and attack techniques with the aim of developing more effective defense measures.
OUR CYBERSECURITY TEAM
This line is driven by highly qualified senior and junior researchers committed to continuous innovation and development. Our team includes computer scientists, mathematicians, data analysts, and more.
Ángel López Campo
Head of Cybersecurity
Computer Engineer with extensive experience in participating in and managing R&D projects, especially in the fields of cybersecurity, embedded devices, and secure software development.
His main research areas focus on developing cybersecurity solutions for industrial environments and critical infrastructures, particularly related to honeypots, network monitoring systems, and anomaly detection. He is also specialized in IoT system design and the study of their vulnerabilities and protection measures, such as integrating post-quantum cryptography. He holds several software registrations and a patent.
As the head of Cybersecurity solutions at ITCL, he coordinates a multidisciplinary team to carry out projects and research that protect and add value to companies.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Ready Twin – Innovative Digital Twins Solutions
Research on different technologies, techniques, tools, methodologies and knowledge aimed at developing innovative technological solutions for the generation and exploitation of Digital Twins.
Duration: July 2019 - June 2023
NeuroCPS4 Maintenance – Neuromorphic Anomaly Detector
NeuroCPS4Maintenance is a project that aims to develop and demonstrate a neuromorphic edge anomaly detector that is robust against conceptual drift, alerts to faults early and provides fast, real-time response for predictive maintenance applications in high-demand industrial scenarios (industrial press). This anomaly detector will be based on deep learning algorithms (LSTM) and implemented on system on chips (SoC).
Duration: March 2021 - 2022
Innovation Radar values ITCL’s work on the Working Age project
The European Commission's prestigious Innovation Radar has published the innovation that ITCL has developed in the Working Age project by qualifying it with one of the highest grades. Specifically, the market potential of including innovative methods to measure users' health and emotional status has been evaluated with a high score.
ARADOS – Collaborative Platform for Rural Areas
ARADOS - Collaborative Platform for Friendly and Supportive Rural Areas - European Project The main objective of the ARADOS: Collaborative Platform for Friendly and Supportive Rural Areas project is to develop a new pilot system that allows the integration...
ITCL, Intigia and Dihbu start their project NeuroCPS4Maintenance, on new intelligent sensors for industrial maintenance
ITCL, Intigia and Dihbu start their project NeuroCPS4Maintenance, on new intelligent sensors for industrial maintenance
CYBERSEC – IT Security in Emerging Technologies
The CYBERSEC project researches in various technologies, techniques, tools, methodologies and knowledge aimed at developing technological solutions for the securitization against cyber-attacks of highly critical connected environments, such as Industry 4.0, Smart Cities or Critical Infrastructures.
Duration: 2020 - 2024
