Highly secure edge cloud infrastructure

These edge cloud nodes can be implemented decentrally at energy generation plants, such as wind turbines, and operated in an energy-efficient manner. Connected to other nodes, they form large computing networks. The project is scheduled to run until the end of 2026. The project reduces dependence on technologies that do not originate from the EU and thus contributes to Germany's and Europe's digital sovereignty.

Project with special interest

The EU has launched the IPCEI-CIS program to initiate the development of an (edge) cloud infrastructure. IPCEI stands for "Important Project of Common European Interest", CIS for "Cloud Infrastructure and Services". The funding and the framework for cooperation with partners at European level make it much easier to develop solutions and products in this area. More than 100 companies and research institutions from twelve EU member states are involved.

Nodes at the point of energy generation

"The demand for highly secure edge cloud solutions is growing," says Dr. Kai Martius, Chief Technology Officer at Secunet. "Distributed infrastructures can provide flexible and particularly resource-efficient computing power, especially if the nodes are located at power generation sites and can also be networked via mobile communications with the future 6G standard. However, it will be important that the solutions are easy to implement, scalable and interoperable. We will develop such solutions as part of the IPCEI-CIS project and then develop them into mature, industrially manufacturable products."

Processing of particularly sensitive data

As these edge cloud infrastructures are particularly relevant for use in critical infrastructures and are intended to process data that is particularly worthy of protection, there are high security requirements. In this context, Secunet can build on its decades of experience as an IT security partner of the Federal Republic of Germany: Sophisticated cryptography and advanced virtualization technologies will be used in the solutions to be developed. In addition, the company has an open source-based, highly secure cloud platform and is currently gradually expanding its range of sovereign cloud solutions for authorities and companies with high security requirements, which will be optimally supplemented with an edge cloud offering.

In the interests of verifiability and transparency, Secunet will also develop the edge cloud nodes on the basis of open source technologies and make the results of the project generally accessible in the form of open source building blocks.