Europe launches €8 million project to strengthen security of future 6G networks

The European Union has launched a major initiative aimed at protecting future communication networks from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, investing €8 million in a project known as Shield-6G.

The European Union has launched a major initiative aimed at protecting future communication networks from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, investing €8 million in a project known as Shield-6G. The effort will be led by University College Dublin and is focused on developing advanced security standards for the next generation of mobile technology. As countries and industries prepare for the arrival of 6G, European researchers believe security must be built into the technology from the very beginning rather than added later in response to threats.

Commissioned by the European Commission, Shield-6G will create an artificial intelligence-driven cyber threat intelligence platform designed specifically for future 6G networks. The project seeks to move beyond traditional network reliability and establish a system capable of maintaining strong resilience against cyberattacks. Researchers involved in the initiative say the objective is to ensure that future digital infrastructure can continue operating safely and efficiently even when faced with complex security challenges.

A key feature of the project will be the development of an energy-efficient platform that uses artificial intelligence to identify and respond to threats in real time. The proposed system will rely on advanced automation that can manage security operations with minimal human intervention. Researchers describe this approach as “zero-touch” security management, allowing networks to automatically monitor risks, detect vulnerabilities, and take corrective action when needed. The platform will also include privacy-focused analytics that enable organizations to share threat intelligence without exposing sensitive data.

The initiative was selected as the sole winner under a highly competitive funding call organized through Horizon Europe’s Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking. Horizon Europe is one of the European Union’s largest research and innovation programs, with a budget of more than €95 billion dedicated to supporting technological advancement across a wide range of sectors. The selection highlights the strategic importance European policymakers place on cybersecurity as digital technologies become increasingly integrated into daily life.

Shield-6G brings together a diverse group of 19 international partners, including universities, technology companies, and specialized small and medium-sized enterprises. The project will be led by Professor Madhusanka Liyanage, Director of UCD NetsLab and a researcher widely known for his work in secure 5G and 6G communications. According to Liyanage, future 6G networks will play a much larger role than simply providing faster mobile internet. He believes they will become the foundation of a highly connected society where people, businesses, public infrastructure, and autonomous systems interact seamlessly through intelligent digital networks.

Researchers involved in the project argue that such a future will require a fundamentally different approach to cybersecurity. Rather than waiting for attacks to occur before responding, networks must be capable of predicting and preventing threats before they cause disruption. Shield-6G aims to achieve this by creating systems that can continuously learn from new information, adapt to changing risks, and recover from security incidents with little or no interruption to services.

The project also has a strong commercial dimension. MBP Network Technology, a technology company that emerged from University College Dublin in 2024, will play an important role in translating research into practical industry solutions. The company will focus on developing edge-based services that improve energy efficiency while supporting advanced intrusion detection and security optimization.

As governments and businesses prepare for the transition toward 6G technology, the Shield-6G project represents a significant step in ensuring that future networks remain secure, reliable, and trusted. By placing cybersecurity at the center of development, European researchers hope to create a stronger digital foundation capable of supporting the connected world of tomorrow.