VTT and Oulu Port launch security project

This initiative, with a budget of €12.8 million, addresses the complex structure and security challenges of ports and brings on board 20 other technology providers, universities and other organisations, with funding from Business Finland and international research funders.

“Ensuring digital trust and security for the protection of critical cyber-physical systems, along with fostering situational awareness, appears to be an effective way to build resilience,” said principal scientist and project lead, Juhani Latvakoski from VTT.

“The port serves as an excellent testing ground, mirroring a miniature society with its diverse and complex operations.”

The project will develop a secure situational awareness concept to enhance trust and build autonomous resilience within port systems. The Port of Oulu will play a key role in the project by providing critical situation and condition data.

With 90% of Finland’s exports passing through ports, the initiative is vital for securing supply chains in northern Finland. VTT’s goal is to develop novel solutions that can improve security in critical systems, enabling testing and piloting of new products within the port.

“We are developing a digital twin of the port area using various sensors, detectors, and radars,” explained Soila Riutta, development manager at Oulu Port.

“Additionally, innovative tracking and identification systems for port area traffic are of particular interest.

“In this project, our goal is to create a comprehensive situational overview, particularly for managing safety and critical incidents.”