IT services provide opportunities and vulnerabilities

Financial operations can be streamlined through IT services, which opens the door on new opportunities. At the same time, new vulnerabilities become clear. The financial sector is a good example of this: today we can carry out banking around the clock. But a cryptovirus attack in the summer of 2021 shut down hundreds of grocery stores throughout the country because the payment system was interrupted.

Digital crimes are increasing

As a result of reduced cash usage, bank and cash-in-transit robberies have declined. Instead, the number of digital crimes has increased. Even unintentional IT outages can have major consequences. However, security-enhancing measures can have an effect against both attacks and unintentional disruptions.

Cybersecurity is complex

It is difficult to achieve a high level of cybersecurity. No protections are perfect. Technical solutions must be supplemented with insights from psychology, economics and law – just to mention a few.

Resilience requires cooperation

Increasing resilience requires cooperation between many players. RISE is one of these. Our expertise is enquired by, for example, the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority. The authority receives support from RISE in its work with cyber security.

What RISE can do within financial services

• We can put numbers on the consequences of cyber incidents
• Identify cross-dependencies and cyber risks in the value chain outside your organization
• Identification of needs and analysis of cyber insurance solutions

Further reading:

Franke, U.(2022) "Time for cyber security economy" (Swedish) Article. Ekonomisk Debatt, no 2, volume 50. 

Varga, S., Brynielsson, J. & Franke, U.( juni 2021) "Cyber-threat perception and risk management in the Swedish financial sector". Article. Computers & Security. Volume 105.

Franke, U. (2020) "Cyber security for a connected economy" (Swedish) Report. Entreprenörskapsforum.
 

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Health and medical care within total defence and crisis preparedness

Health and medical care play an important role in the Swedish total defence and national crisis preparedness. In all kinds of crisis, it is of utmost importance to protect people's lives and people's health. We therefore need to establish a health service that works even in extraordinary conditions such as during crisis and war.

The situation for health and medical care is different during crisis and war

Health and medical care during crisis and war faces a different situation than usual. One of the biggest differences is that health care must take care of and handle an increased number of patients, which leads to a strained situation for health care professionals. In addition, a situation of crisis and war often implies an increased consumption of both materials and medicines.

The global need of healthcare products increases

In a crisis situation, it is common that the global need for health care products increases dramatically. The higher demand often leads to increased prices, which may mean a high risk of fake products. To avoid such a situation with fake products, we need to establish methods to quickly verify, test and in some cases even certify products. This to ensure both function and quality of health care products. Such quality check is also important when domestic production has been launched with the purpose of avoiding shortages of critical health care products.

Our contribution to health and medical care in crisis and war

RISE wants to contribute to Swedish total defence and national crisis preparedness in health and medical care. We contribute with expertise, innovation and analysis as well as with our wide network of contacts.

Further reading within health and medical care

• Biological Safety and Function
• Protective equipments for Covid-19: Methods for production and instructions
• Testing of protective devices

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Food and drinking water in crisis preparedness and civil defence

The food system is complex. It is based on well-functioning global trade with just-in-time production. Today half of all food – that is every second bite – is imported. Sweden is highly dependent on imports. In times of crisis and war, our nation’s survival is put to the test.

Food security is part of civil defence

Food security is an important preparedness sector in civil defence. By strengthening civil defence, our ability to handle crisis will increase and our crisis preparedness is strengthened.

Focus on maintaining the necessary livelihood

Food and drinking water in crisis preparedness and civil defense is about maintaining the sufficient supply to the country's population even when disruptions occur. In the event of a crisis caused by extreme weather, the consequence of, for instance, a closed port can mean interruptions or production losses in the food chain. When essential goods, chemicals, raw materials and inputs are prevented from reaching their destination, food production risks being stopped or reduced.

RISE contributes to building food preparedness

RISE contributes by supporting industry and the public sector with expertise linked to food and drinking water. In addition to promoting collaboration between different actors, we contribute with theoretical and practical expertise in a variety of areas, such as:

• safe food and safe drinking water
• supply chain risk and vulnerability assessments
• conversion of production
• foods with extended storage stability
• flexible production and manufacturing readiness
• customizable technology
• resource-efficient solutions
• mobile solutions
• functional food packaging
• certification of continuity management systems ISO 22301:2019 – Security and resilience

RISE Test and demo within food and drinking water

• Digitalized agriculture
• Cleaning innovation
• FENIX 

RISE expertise within food and drinking water

• Water supply and demand management
• Consumer perception of taste and flavor in food products
• Microbiological safe and shelf stable food
• Cleaning and disinfection - Comparison of techniques
• Food Production Technology
• Microbiological analysis methods

More within food and drinking water at RISE

• Ensure a Resilient and Sustainable Water Supply – for daily operations and in crises
• New drinking water directive for increased resilience and sustainability
• Materials in contact with drinking water (network)
   

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Webbinarier

Domestic renewable energy replaces fossil import

Imported fossil energy commodities are being replaced by an increasing share of domestic renewable electricity. At the same time, the electrification of society requires a major expansion of electricity production. Replacing or completing the earlier large-scale structure with smaller and local production units will lead to a more robust energy supply.

Preventive work is required

Outsourcing the production will entail new threats and strains. Energy actors and authorities need to perform extensive preventive work to avoid power failures and/or electricity shortages. Today's energy systems include, for example, advanced IT systems for measurement, control, and regulation. These are vulnerable to cyberattacks, with potential impact on the whole of society.

What RISE offers in energy supply 

At RISE, we have broad expertise in cybersecurity and energy preparedness. We conduct research and test how energy systems could be exposed to cyberattacks and what the consequences are. We also provide training and support to both municipalities and companies that wish to increase their energy preparedness.

How to increase society´s robustness

RISE expertise in the energy field can contribute to increased robustness and making use of the sustainable energy system's ability to resist stress. Amongst other things, we are working on preparing more areas for so-called "island operation". This means that a geographical area becomes self-sufficient using local energy facilities. This would reduce dependence on the national system.

Support to create a secure energy supply

RISE can also provide support for how to best create a secure energy supply. This is achieved through an optimal combination of various energy types and energy storage, given the local conditions.

Do you want to collaborate on energy supply in total defense and crisis preparedness? You are welcome to contact us. 

RISE expertise within energy supply

• Electricity markets and grid regulation
• Platform security and trusted execution environment
• Cybersecurity: Research, Development and Innovation

Further reading

Read about RISE work within Cybersecurity.  arbete med cybersäkerhet
and about Cyber range, Center for cyber security.

To Total defence and crisis preparedness at RISE

Information and communication within total defence

Modern society relies on IT systems. Without them, many critical functions, such as energy supply, communications and financial services would not function. Although digitalisation enables a better world, society must have the ability to prevent, detect and manage risks and incidents in these systems.

Hostile actions and attacks are more common

Hostile actions against public and private actors as well as Swedish citizens are becoming more common. We witness attacks through propaganda and disinformation, disruptions in critical infrastructure, espionage and data leaks. To be able to prevent these attacks, increased preparedness and ability is essential. This covers everything from management and organization to handling crises and intrusions.

We prevent by know-how

The most important component in a society´s defence, its digital systems and its information and communication is know-how. We are not aware of where the next crisis will occur, but we can train people to see weaknesses and risks in the systems. We can train people to build sufficient redundancy and we can prepare them for the day they need to act promptly.

Testing the system reduces the risks

According to this, we can study our systems and eliminate safety risks. This is done by testing the systems, building backup plans and ensuring that components are keeping the measures. Likewise it is important that the systems do not compound component risks.

Research within information and communication

RISE conducts research aimed at creating a safer digital world. In this way we contribute to a more resilient society. We manage projects on everything from secure IoT and cloud solutions, cybersecurity, secure autonomous vehicles and privacy-preserving identification in order to minimize the impact through disinformation. Researchers at RISE are looking at behavioural change among users of public systems. The research also increases knowledge on how personal data is used and how this development is viewed by the population. The test beds at RISE provide opportunities for both testing systems and training individuals.

Research for a resilient society

With research, development, and innovation in these areas, RISE contributes to a resilient society and increased preparedness. We help to increase society´s ability to cope with change as well as recover and continue developing. At the same time, we contribute to an increased ability in society to resist anti-democratic forces. In this way, we contribute to the stability and vitality of Sweden's democracy.

Example of RISE work within the area

• We contribute with research, development and test and demo facilities as well as training in the cyber area through Cyber Range
• We support authorities in total defense with applied research in a number of different areas, such as protection against information influence in the PODIUS project together with the Swedish Psychological Defense Agency.
• We support innovation management in crisis in collaboration with authorities, in projects such as “School at Home”
• We develop closer collaboration with central players and undertake various activities to strengthen information and communication in total defence.

RISE expertise within information and communication

• Democracy and digitalization
• Cybersecurity: Research, Development and Innovation
• The Connected Individual

Further reading within information and communication at RISE

RISE Security - Certification of Security products

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RISE protection and security within total defence

Protection and security in total defence include several areas and activities important to society. The field of activity contains research and development as well as verification, testing and certification.

RISE performs testing of products and components

RISE supports society and business to make Sweden safer. Examples of areas where we can contribute are, for example, when testing protective products and protective components. With the help of RISE testing facilities, products that are important for total defence can be tested, certified and verified.

We conduct research in the field of protection and security

RISE participates in research and development collaborations in the field of fortification. We also conduct research on the protection of critical infrastructure, as well as in research on rescue operations both above and below ground.

Research strengthens society's ability

The goal is to protect the civilian population and ensure important societal functions. In other words, the objective of our research and development is to strengthen the ability of our society. By carrying out research efforts in collaboration with key players, society's ability in the field of protection and security will be strengthened.

RISE expertise within protection and safety

• Fire and rescue service
• Safety in underground structures
• Physical safety and protection testing
• Cybersecurity: Research, Development and Innovation

Further reading within protection and safety

• Ballistic testing and resistance
• Fatigue testing of materials and components
• IT Testbed for EMC & Wireless Communication

Here you can read about our project Testbed PFAS

To total defence and crisis preparedness at RISE

Syfte och mål

Tjänsten finansieras av Vinnova, Energimyndigheten och Tillväxtverket. Syftet är att stödja svenska små och medelstora företag (max 249 anställda) att söka finansiering via Horizon Europe, Eurostars, Innovation Fund och NATO DIANA. Stödet innefattar information, rådgivning samt utbildning inför ansökan liksom support under pågående projekt tex avseende frågor som rör rapportering. Företag kan även få stöd att hitta partners för samarbetsprojekt genom Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) i vilket RISE deltar.

Tjänsten erbjuds i samarbete med flera nationella partners över hela landet. Chalmers Industriteknik, LTU Business, IVL, Uminova och från och med juli 2025 även Ideon Science Park som ger stöd inon NATO DIANA.

Utmaning

Svenska företag kan bli bättre på att få fler ansökningar beviljade och därmed få mer finansiellt stöd från EU och NATO DIANA. Mindre företag har ofta inte samma resurser internt som större företag har och har därför svårare att navigera program och regelverk liksom avsätta resurser för att utveckla en framgångsrik ansökan. 

Lösning

 Uppdraget är en upphandlad tjänst där RISE koordinerar ett nationellt supportkontor i samarbete med partners. Tjänsten inkluderar kommunikation (via events och digitala kanaler) och rådgivning. Företag kan inför ansökan få stöd genom helpdesk och individuell rådgivning liksom delta vid utbildningstillfällen kopplat till ansökan och även möjlighet att öva pitch där detta ingår i bedömningsprocessen. Under pågående projekt finns även möjlighet att få stöd tex kopplat till frågeställningar om rapportering eller ändrade omständigheter.

Effekt

EU SME support bidrar till att fler svenska företag utreder sina möjligheter att ansöka inom Horizon Europe, Eurostars, Innovation Fund och NATO DIANA. Fler företag skickar in ansökningar av högre kvalitet och med ökad andel beviljade projekt. På lång sikt stärks företagens möjlighet att finansiera utvecklingsprojekt samt etablera internationella samarbeten för tillväxt.

Cyberattacker mot industri och offentlig sektor ökar i omfattning och allvar, samtidigt som de flesta organisationer saknar den infrastruktur som krävs för att testa sina system på ett säkert sätt, innan det är för sent.

I Cyber Range kan användare identifiera sårbarheter, validera systemarkitektur och träna på verkliga angreppsscenarier i en kontrollerad miljö. Konsekvenserna av ett oupptäckt intrång kan variera, från driftstopp och dataläckage till skadad tillit, och för kritisk infrastruktur, som ofta finns inom industri eller offentlig sektor, kan följderna bli samhällskritiska störningar. Att testa i produktionsmiljö är inte ett alternativ, men att inte testa alls är ännu sämre.

Cyber Range är tillgänglig för både industri och offentlig sektor, med särskilt fokus på mindre och medelstora bolag som ofta saknar egna resurser och infrastruktur för den här typen av tester. Miljön blir samtidigt en naturlig plats för kompetensutveckling, där det är lätt att få tillgång till expertis.

Det här kan du testa

• OT-miljöer, det vill säga industriella styrsystem och driftteknik som ofta är svåra att testa i skarp drift
• Nätverksarkitektur, för att identifiera svaga punkter innan de utnyttjas
• Intrångstester, där sårbarheter i system och applikationer kartläggs systematiskt
• Red team- och blue team-övningar, där angrepp och försvar tränas i en kontrollerad miljö, utan att riskera skarp drift

Så här går det till

• Möte. Vi går igenom era behov, mål och vilken typ av miljö eller scenario som är relevant att testa.
• Planering. Tillsammans tar vi fram en plan, avgränsar omfattning och förbereder scenarier utifrån era behov.
• Genomförande. Övningen utförs i Cyber Range och avslutas med en diskussion samt en sammanställd rapport med resultat och rekommendationer.

Vilka typer av organisationer kan använda Cyber Range?

Cyber Range riktar sig till både industri och offentlig sektor, med särskilt fokus på mindre och medelstora företag som saknar egna resurser för avancerad cybersäkerhetstestning. Anläggningen passar organisationer som vill testa OT-miljöer, nätverksarkitektur eller träna personal på verkliga angreppsscenarier.

Kan Cyber Range användas för kompetensutveckling och utbildning inom cybersäkerhet?

Ja. Utöver teknisk testning erbjuder RISE utbildning och träning i Cyber Range, där deltagare kan öva på verkliga angreppsscenarier i en kontrollerad miljö. Anläggningen i Kista fungerar som en naturlig plats för kompetensutveckling med tillgång till RISE expertis inom cybersäkerhet.

Background

Swarm technology is a projected next step in drone research and development. Today, an operator typically pilots a single drone. In the future, operators are expected to control multiple collaborating and autonomous drones that display an emergent behavior; their collective behavior emerges from local (and autonomous) interactions between drones. This presents new technological requirements and new cognitive demands for the operator. Specifically, questions are raised regarding which control mechanisms, feedback systems, and visualization tools the operator will require, and how these may affect the operator’s mental workload and situation awareness. The interaction design is also affected by the operator’s task and work context. It is therefore important to consider the technological, human, and organizational factors when developing autonomous drone systems.

Goal

The purpose of the HISOS project is to identify and understand the swarm operator’s command and control challenges and develop design solutions for systems and user interfaces to support the collaboration between humans and swarm systems. The goal is to develop design guidelines for human-swarm interaction that can be used to develop safe and efficient autonomous systems-of-systems.

Applications

The research conducted in the HISOS project is connected to several other RISE projects. For example, HISOS provides input to the CONTROL project which serves to develop a testbed for simulating and commanding autonomous systems-of-systems. In the Eyes-On-Scene project, researchers study how a drone can be deployed to assist in maritime search and rescue operations, where HISOS provides a vision of multiple collaborating drones for this use case. 

The insights gained from HISOS regarding human-swarm interaction can be generalized to inform the design of other autonomous systems-of-systems, like autonomous public transport systems, transport and logistics, or surveillance systems. Lessons learned also applies to the command and control of aerial, ground, or underwater autonomous vehicles.