Khalifa University And HENSOLDT France Join Forces For Advanced Cryptographic Security Research

Khalifa University of Science and Technology has partnered with HENSOLDT France to initiate a research project titled ‘Next-Generation Cryptographic Security: Safeguarding Against Machine Learning and Emerging Threats’. This collaboration was formalised through an agreement signed by Professor Ahmed Al Durra from Khalifa University and Philippe Guibourg, President of HENSOLDT France, at the university's main campus.

The research will delve into three primary areas concerning cryptographic security. These include addressing machine learning and neural networks as new threats to cryptography, protecting Dilithium from side-channel attacks (SCA) and fault injection attacks (FIA), and implementing efficient countermeasures in lightweight cryptography to enhance security without compromising performance.

Professor Ahmed Al Durra highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, "Collaborating with HENSOLDT reflects Khalifa University’s commitment to delivering impactful research in areas of strategic importance to the UAE and the world. In the face of a rapidly evolving digital world, our leading academic expertise will help advance the resilience of critical systems and create new opportunities for postgraduate researchers to engage in high-level cybersecurity work. Our combined expertise in cryptography, AI, and error-correcting codes will guide the research toward both academic and applied outcomes, with potential for future commercialisation and deployment."

This partnership aims to bolster cybersecurity strategies by integrating academic knowledge with industrial expertise. The focus is on developing solutions that address emerging digital threats effectively. The project is expected to yield both theoretical insights and practical applications that could be commercialised in the future.

Philippe Guibourg expressed his views on the collaboration by stating, "This agreement demonstrates the commitment to scientific collaboration between the two sides to provide security solutions for the future in an increasingly complex digital world. Next generation cryptographic security safeguarding against machine learning and emerging threats is a highly specialised and pioneering field where interdisciplinary collaboration between academic excellence and industrial expertise is not only desirable but necessary."

The initiative underscores the necessity for interdisciplinary cooperation in tackling advanced cybersecurity challenges. By combining resources from academia and industry, both parties aim to pioneer advancements in cryptographic security that are crucial for safeguarding against modern threats.

This collaborative effort between Khalifa University and HENSOLDT France represents a significant step towards enhancing cryptographic security measures. By focusing on key areas such as machine learning adversaries, physical data leak protection, and efficient countermeasure implementation, this project seeks to fortify digital defences while maintaining system performance.

With inputs from WAM