With a successful kickoff-meeting in Oslo in June, a new European H2020 funded research project has begun its work. The project STOP-IT (Strategic, Tactical, Operational Protection of water Infrastructure against cyber-physical Threats) focuses on finding solutions to protect critical water infrastructure against physical and cyber threats. Over the course of the next four years, a team of major water utilities, industrial technology developers, high tech small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and top European Research and Development (R&D) providers across Europe and Israel will work together closely.

The STOP-IT solutions are going to include mature technologies, like public warning systems and smart locks that are improved by their combination and embedment. It will also include novel technologies, including fault-tolerant control strategies for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) integrated sensors, high-volume real-time sensor data protection via blockchain schemes, irregular human detection using new computer vision methods and WiFi and efficient water contamination detection algorithms.

The solutions are tested and demonstrated with a front-runner/follower approach, where four advanced front-runner utilities, Aigües de Barcelona (Spain), Berliner Wasserbetriebe (Germany), Mekorot (Israel) and Oslo VAV (Norway) are twinned with Hessenwasser (Germany), Bergen Kommune (Norway), Emasagra (Spain) and DeWatergroep (Belgium), to stimulate mutual learning, transfer and uptake of the STOP-IT solutions.

Driving security innovation

mnemonic is an official partner of the project and participates in the research for a safe water future with its expertise in cyber and information security management. In addition, mnemonic contributes with industry specific technology like the Argus ICS Defender, a system designed to protect mission-critical Industrial Control Systems against modern threats. 

“Participating in research projects like STOP-IT is part of mnemonic’s mission to drive cybersecurity innovation,” says Tønnes Ingebrigtsen, CEO and Co-Founder of mnemonic.

“mnemonic is committed to R&D in its field, and actively partakes in several collaborative research projects, such as developing a platform for predicting targeted cyberattacks with the ACT project and sponsoring a PhD position at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).”

Learn more about mnemonic's research and development.