SUSTAINET-innovate develops AI and cyber resilience for critical services

VTT is coordinating the Finnish consortium in an international CELTIC-NEXT flagship project exploring solutions that use artificial intelligence, digital twins and robust cybersecurity to support society’s mission-critical services and infrastructure. 

Society’s essential functions are increasingly dependent on digital services and the communications networks that support them. Public authorities, rail transport, industry and many other critical services are more connected and complex than before. This means they need network solutions that continue to operate during disruptions, withstand evolving cyber threats and support sustainable development. 

The SUSTAINET-Innovate joint project is developing secure, resilient and energy-efficient solutions that can detect disruptions and cyber threats earlier, provide better situational awareness, and enable faster and more automated protection and recovery measures.  

“Broad international cooperation brings together artificial intelligence, digital twins, cybersecurity and satellite networks to develop solutions that improve the security, reliability and energy efficiency of critical services,” says Senior Scientist Jani Suomalainen from VTT. 

The project is exploring the use of generative AI, large language models and digital twins in cybersecurity, automation and the formation of situational awareness. The aim is to improve threat detection, support security operations and automate the protection and recovery of critical systems. The project is also developing post-quantum secure solutions for the secure digital services of the future. 

“SUSTAINET is a chance to put AI-driven software automation and cybersecurity operations expertise to work on services that critical infrastructure depends on. Building resilience in from the start, rather than adding it on afterward, is exactly the kind of work that strengthens Europe's digital sovereignty", says Henri Hämäläinen, Chief Product Officer at Eficode. 

The continuity of mission-critical services will be improved by seamlessly combining satellite and terrestrial networks. Field trials will assess in particular the availability, quality and cyber resilience of connections for public authority and IoT services under different conditions.  

“Combining satellite and IoT technologies enables critical infrastructure monitoring and situational awareness even in areas where relying on a single network is not an option. We are developing both the device and the AI that runs on it to improve measurement accuracy, automate installation and extend battery life. The less data we transmit, the less energy we use and the lower the data transmission costs, which are particularly significant in satellite IoT,” says Janne Kallio, CEO of iProtoxi. 

SUSTAINET is an international CELTIC-NEXT flagship project consisting of three collaborating sub-projects. The SUSTAINET-innovate sub-project involves 37 organisations from Finland, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom and Belgium. The Finnish consortium includes Airbus Defence and Space, Eficode, Insta Advance, iProtoxi, Mipro, Missing-Link, Centria and VTT. The wider SUSTAINET project involves 103 organisations from 11 countries. 

In Finland, the funding decision for the project was made in July 2026, and the project will continue until October 2028. Finland’s contribution to the project is funded by Business Finland. 

Further information: 
Jani Suomalainen, Senior Scientist, VTT 
jani.suomalainen@vtt.fi

+358 40 8322 202 

SUSTAINET project website: www.sustainet-project.eu 

Further information on VTT:
Paula Bergqvist, Communications Manager
+358 20 722 5161, paula.bergqvist@vtt.fi
www.vttresearch.com

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd

VTT is a forerunner in research, development and innovation, and one of Europe’s leading research organisations. We develop cutting-edge technologies and transform them into growth together with our customers and partners. Our solutions address the greatest challenges of our time while creating sustainable growth, jobs and wellbeing. With more than 80 years of experience, we accelerate the journey from innovation to impact. By thinking beyond the obvious, we drive growth, renewal and resilience.

VTT – beyond the obvious

www.vttresearch.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Bluesky