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IMT Atlantique

Internationally recognized, IMT Atlantique’s research positions it as one of the world’s Top 400 Technological Universities. This research, conducted in the fields of digital sciences, engineering sciences, physics and management, fosters the conditions for inter-disciplinary research that is a source of innovation in response to the major challenges facing companies and society. For more info: https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation

Institut Mines Télécom (IMT)

The Institut Mines Télécom (IMT) is France’s biggest engineering school. It is comparable to an elite university in Germany for instance. IMT is a public institution dedicated to higher education and research for innovation.

It is a key player in the fusion of science, engineering and digital technology, and takes its schools’ skills into the major fields of transformation in digital technology, industry, energy and the environment as well as their impact on the industry of the future, cities, health, and autonomy. For more info: https://www.imt.fr/en/imt/presentation-of-imt/

Cyber CNI, a chair on critical infrastructure cybersecurity

The Cyber CNI Chair at the Institut Mines-Télécom is devoted to research and teaching in the field of the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure (energy networks, industrial processes, water treatment plants, financial systems, etc.). This new field of scientific research investigates what has rapidly become a crucial issue for many companies and organisations.

  • Carry out research on security in critical infrastructure.
  • Provide research training to a new generation of students across Institut Mines-Télécom.
  • Forge ties with industry and strengthen cohesion across the region.
  • Promote our security research to the technical community and beyond.

In just a few decades, Information and communication systems have become commonplace everywhere, and are now a vital part of any organisation. Organisations, companies and society at large have become increasingly dependent on these new technologies. ICT systems were originally designed for commercial, financial or corporate uses, but are now present in every walk of life. They are now to be found in all kinds of economic sectors, from supply chain management to industrial process control and smart grid systems. Within a few years, “Smart City” systems will optimise the organisation and costs of urban areas to enhance the quality of life for city-dwellers. All this will require ever more powerful, sophisticated and interconnected ICT systems. These invisible changes will obviously provide a tremendous boost to progress and innovation. The new systems herald a new age of disruptive technologies which will alter the way humans live and work. However, this new era and the new information and communication systems that will bring it about, will also come with a number of challenges. While they will control a growing number of critical activities, ICT systems will also be increasingly open to cyber attacks. There have never been as many threats and gaps in the systems that attacks can exploit!

Read our latest publications here!

Cybersecurity: A vital issue

In the early 2010s, increasingly frequent cyberattacks (due to computer viruses such as Stuxnet, Flame, Duqu, etc.) raised awareness in government circles and business corporations of the growing risks. Protecting so-called “critical” infrastructure such as energy networks, industrial processes, water treatment plants or financial systems, became a top priority. Security measures became mandatory by law for private and public Operators of Essential Services. To learn more on oiv protection The creation of the CNI Chair in Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity is obviously directly related to these priorities. Since it was launched, in January 2016, the Cyber CNI Chair in Cybersecurity has conducted major research work in the field of critical infrastructure security. Its work has received both national and international acclaim for its innovative approach to the issues involved. The CNI Chair is producing a new generation of students at the Institut Mines-Télécom who are aware of the issues and trained them in the appropriate remediation techniques. It has also developed its cooperation initiatives with many industrial partners (Airbus Defence and Space, Amossys, BNP Paribas, EDF and NokiaBell Labs) and has forged close links with the Brittany Regional Council, in particular within the Cyber Cluster initiative (Learn more). The Cyber CNI Chair is sponsored by the IMT Atlantique Graduate Engineering School and works in close cooperation with Télécom ParisTech, Télécom SudParis. The Chair is funded by the Brittany Regional Council, with additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund and industrial partnerships.

Find out more about our activities in the blog and our upcoming events.

Participate at our monthly cybersecurity speaker series talk.cybercni.fr!

Team members

The researchers working for the Cyber CNI Chair cover a wide range of research topics. Focusing primarily on critical infrastructure, they also address issues including encryption, quantum data, communication, mobility and security infrastructure, the Internet of Things, embedded systems, cloud computing and social networks.

Look who is part of the chair