Trusted and Secure Digital Ecosystems

Cyber security and trust are crucial elements of today’s digital ecosystems, particularly when IoT devices and systems are involved. In industrial settings such as smart manufacturing facilities as well as in personal residential settings where smart home applications are growing in popularity, IoT systems and devices are becoming increasingly ubiquitous. However, this comes with security and trust challenges as these systems often comprise resource-limited devices with known or unknown vulnerabilities, increasing the attack surface for bad actors. Hence, trust and security are essential elements of Nimbus’ research agenda on digital systems. 

Trust is a critical component of the digital age, without it, individuals are reluctant to use digital services, businesses can’t collaborate, and societies are left vulnerable to disruption and exploitation. Research in this area needs to focus on: 

• Cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities in increasingly complex, distributed systems 

• Data governance and trust models that enable secure, ethical sharing and reuse 

• Regulatory and compliance needs, including emerging European frameworks 

• Digital sovereignty and resilience across borders, organisations, and supply chains 

• Public confidence in digital services, algorithms, and infrastructures 

Establishing robust, transparent mechanisms for trust and security is essential to enable digital systems that are both scalable and socially acceptable.