Shaping the future of cybersecurity in the 6G era: the 6Gsec Common Path and Cardinal Points “6Gsec (CP)²” Conference

Organised by SNS-OPS, ECSO and NetworldEurope and hosted by INRIA.

In a pioneering initiative, the “6Gsec Common Path and Cardinal Points Conference” brought together the European cybersecurity and Smart Networks and Services (SNS) communities. The day was filled with discussions about the evolving landscape of policies and threats, the research and innovation agendas, and the technical state of the art and collaboration perspectives in the security domain. The event gathered experts and enthusiasts to delve into the future of cybersecurity in the 6G era.

The “6Gsec (CP)²” took place on the 23 of January 2024 in the Campus Cyber in Paris, France. Hosted by Emmanuel Dotaro (Thales) and Roberto Cascella (European Cyber Security Organisation, ECSO), the event was an unique opportunity for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from both the cyber and 6G communities to come together and share their insights on how to ensure the security of 6G networks and services.

The programme started with the keynote “SNS Network of the Future”, an overview of the package of actions and initiatives envisioned by the French government to tackle the security of the SNS, presented by Thomas Orazio (France 6G).

Matteo Mole from the European Cyber Security Organisation (ESCO) followed with a comprehensive presentation of the current policies landscape. As the audience dove into the intricacies of cybersecurity policies, Mole set the stage for the rich discussions that would follow.

The event transitioned into the strategic realm with Fabio Martinelli, Chair of Working Group 6 at ECSO, and Rui Aguiar, Chair of NetworldEurope. Their insights into the Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda, both being updated during this year, illuminated the path forward, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts to address the emerging cybersecurity challenges.

Apostolos Malatras, Team Leader at the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), took the stage to dissect the evolving threat landscape, providing valuable insights into current and emerging cybersecurity threats.

Technical Discussions Gathering European Experts

The afternoon session fostered in-depth technical discussions, bringing together European experts in a round table format. Each segment showcased the depth of knowledge and diverse perspectives present in the European cybersecurity community.

The first technical discussion focused on the security architecture and distribution in 6G. Antonio Skarmeta (U.Murcia), Daniel Kofman (Telecom-Paris IMT), and Shahid Raza (RISE) led a captivating exploration of the cybersecurity challenges and solutions within the context of the evolving 6G landscape.

The second segment honed in on the intersection of secure artificial intelligence and the emerging 6G technology. Madhusanka Liyanage (University College Dublin), Christos Xenakis (University of Piraeus), and Gür Gürkan (ZHAW) shared their expertise on ensuring the security of AI in the context of next-generation wireless technology.

Eva Fogelstrom (Security Research Ericsson), Samuel Dubus (NOKIA Bell Lab), along with Madhusanka Liyanage and Christos Xenakis, delved into the application of crypto-based technologies in 6G. Their insights provided a roadmap for incorporating cryptographic strategies to fortify the security of 6G networks.

Eva Fogelstrom, Hervé Debar (PEPR), and Shahid Raza rounded off the technical discussions by focusing on the imperative of sharing security knowledge and effective deployment strategies. Their insights showcased the collaborative efforts needed to bolster cybersecurity measures.

The event concluded with a forward-looking session, "Paving the Way for Common Roadmaps Engaging Both Communities," featuring Pavlos Fournogerakis (Smart Network and Services SNS-JU), Miguel Gonzalez-Sancho (DG-CNECT, was Interim director of ECCC) Fabio Martinelli (IIT CNR), and Rui Aguiar (IT Aveiro). The collaborative dialogue aimed at fostering common roadmaps for the future, emphasising the shared responsibility in shaping a resilient and secure digital landscape.

In the wake of the 6Gsec (CP)², participants departed with a wealth of knowledge, newfound collaborations, and a shared commitment to fortifying the cyber defences of the evolving technological landscape. The event served as a testimony to the strength of unity and collaboration in addressing the complex challenges of cybersecurity in Europe. As a first step it will be followed by common work, common papers on strategic agendas and research work plans.