ALiEnS-SOC – Artificial Intelligence for Slovenian Electro-Energy Sector Security Operation Centre

Project coordinator:         

ELES d. o. o., Operater kombiniranega prenosnega in distribucijskega elektroenergetskega omrežja, Slovenia

Project partners:

• Elektro Celje, Podjetje za distribucijo električne energije d. d., Slovenija
• Elektro Gorenjska, Podjetje za distribucijo električne energije d. d., Slovenija
• Elektro Ljubljana, Podjetje za distribucijo električne energije d. d., Slovenija
• Elektro Maribor, Podjetje za distribucijo električne energije d. d., Slovenija
• Elektro Primorska, Podjetje za distribucijo električne energije d. d., Slovenija
• INFORMATIKA – Informacijske storitve in inženiring d. d., Slovenija
• KONČAR, Digitalna d. o. o. za digitalne storitve, Hrvaška
• SMARTIS informacijski sistemi d. o. o., Slovenija
• Telekom Slovenije d. d., Slovenija
• TIKO PRO, Podjetniško svetovanje d. o. o., Slovenija
• Urad Vlade Republike Slovenije za informacijsko varnost, Slovenija
• Akademska in raziskovalna mreža Slovenije, Slovenija

Project duration:

1 January 2025 – 31 December 2027 (36 months)

Summary:

ALiEnS-SOC aims to pioneer robust cybersecurity framework featuring AI based system with full replicability potential, piloted and validated within the National electro-energy SOC. Its ultimate value is improved detection, interception and response of security incidents and vulnerabilities, reduction of risks and increased speed of reaction and operation, in addition to efficient communication, exchange of experience and information among stakeholders to enhance SOCs` cyber security at national and EU level.

Our project, driven by the aim to enhance cybersecurity of the national electro-energy sector SOC, is strategically designed to tackle operational and technical cybersecurity challenges. The project incorporates advanced AI and CTI approaches, featuring AI-driven defence mechanisms, comprehensive and scalable CTI processing model, digital twin honeypots and advanced email security. It is tailor-made for the specific requirements of both, Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) environments. This integration ensures comprehensive threat detection, incident response and fraud prevention, markedly improving the ability to anticipate, detect and neutralize cyber threats, thus securing uninterrupted operations and cyber resilience of critical infrastructure.

ALiEnS-SOC is designed around six intertwined work packages. From ecosystem analysis and scenario building in WP2 to development and deployment of AI Master System and CTI Platform in WP3, followed by a real-world validation through two pilots featuring 10 use cases in total (WP4). WP5 emphasizes the project’s commitment to national and cross-border collaboration, establishing a robust CTI sharing framework that extends beyond national borders while developing a business model for solution’s commercialization. WP6 amplifies WP5’s efforts, extending its reach through scale-out and stakeholder engagement to advance the project’s mission, fostering a resilient expansive European energy sector.

Project objectives:

ALiEnS-SOC aims to pioneer AI-driven cybersecurity solutions for Slovenia’s energy sector, emphasizing user consent and empowerment. By ensuring that users are informed about and can control what data is used and how AI decisions impact the security landscape, the project aligns with ethical standards of transparency and user autonomy.

Recognizing the critical role of diverse data in training AI systems, ALiEnS-SOC commits to actively addressing and mitigating biases in AI algorithms. This is crucial for fostering an equitable cybersecurity posture across Slovenia’s energy sector, ensuring that AI driven recommendations do not inadvertently marginalize any group or entity.

Financing of the project:

Project homepage and websites:

In preparation.