About the centre

The first of its kind in Poland, the specialized Cybersecurity Centre established by AGH University in Krakow (CC AGH) It conducts expert and educational activities, research and development work in the field of cybersecurity technology, and also offers services in the area of network security and ICT systems.

The goal of the CC AGH is to provide innovative solutions and services to strengthen the development of capabilities necessary for the national cybersecurity system and to build the cyber-resilience of the country and the region. The Centre, under the leadership of Director Izabela Albrycht, conducts regional, national and international cooperation in the broad area of cybersecurity.

The Centre's team consists of scientists and external experts. The Centre cooperates with researchers from the Institute of Computer Science at AGH University, graduates and PhD students involved in research, analytical, and programming tasks, as well as with security officers.

Mission

Poland in recent years has become one of Europe's better saturated and growing markets for digital services. Along with new technologies, there are also new cybersecurity threats to individuals, the operations of businesses and national security.

These threats are expressed in the form of criminal activities that we are not always aware of: various types of fraud (through online auctions, advertisements, earnings offers, media services), crime using electronic payment instruments (obtaining payment card numbers, copying cards, hacking into online bank accounts), illegal online trading, as well as industrial cyber espionage, computer eavesdropping and illegal acquisition and dissemination of information or attacks on sophisticated ICT structures.

Our mission is to provide innovative solutions, services and relevant competences to strengthen the development of the capabilities necessary for the national cybersecurity system and to build cyber-resilience, which is currently one of the most significant national and international issues.

In the market, one can observe a great need for specialized experts capable of undertaking work in the area of ensuring cybersecurity and combating cyber-crime for the benefit of various sectors of the economy and state bodies. At the same time, there is an acute shortage of training centres in the country that would take a comprehensive approach to training in this area. As a result, the provision of cybersecurity remains primarily the responsibility of state bodies and businesses, which should take care of the security of their information and processed resources on their own. In the Cybersecurity Strategy of the Republic of Poland for 2019-2024, the preparation and implementation of an efficient and modern system of training employees and service officers in this regard has been entrusted to universities.

Goals and Objectives

➜ Research and development projects

We work closely with the research team of the Institute of Computer Science at AGH, graduates, PhD students and external experts. Continuous exchange of knowledge and experience with other universities, public and private sectors in Poland and around the world allows us to implement R&D&I projects, crucial for the development of regional, national and international cyber-resilience. We cooperate with developing countries to transfer knowledge and capabilities. We also build project consortia within the framework of EU projects, among others.

➜ Supporting and accelerating innovation

With access to the latest EDTs tools, infrastructure and technologies, including AI, we monitor and respond to emerging threats. We offer technology mentoring, partnerships, support in technology validation and idea/product development in collaboration with end-users.

➜ Developing innovative technologies for cybersecurity

Cooperation with AGH University engineers and a development environment based on the university’s resources allow us to create dedicated ICT solutions to support information acquisition and data analysis for threat detection. Cross-sectoral exchange of knowledge and experience helps us develop tools in the areas of attribution, CTI, cyber range, and zero-day, among others.

➜ Providing cybersecurity services to universities, TSUs and companies

Our staff and experts provide a wide range of support in both deepening cyber competences, enhancing the security of companies and institutions, and educating future cybersecurity professionals. We also develop reports and analyses and provide consulting activities in the area of cybersecurity and combating cybercrime, as well as developing technological innovations.

➜ Studies, training and courses

We provide educational activities for expert witnesses, officers of state bodies, employees of ICT companies and government employees, as well as students wishing to gain further practical knowledge in the field of ensuring cyber secrity. We also provide commissioned training in data processing and analysis in the context of detecting and combating cybercrime.

➜ Leveling the playing field in the cybersecurity industry

We are the supporter of Women4Cyber Poland - a non-profit initiative, part of the Brussels-based European Women4Cyber Foundation established in 2019 by ECSO. Women4Cyber Poland implement educational, mentoring, awareness projects (including social campaigns). The initiative promotes the development of an open and inclusive cybersecurity system and encourages women, at all career stages, to pursue professional, scientific, and R&D activities in the field of cybersecurity and new technologies.

Partners

Forensic Software Laboratory

Forensic Software Laboratory - a laboratory existing in the Department of Computer Science at AGH, which for more than 10 years has been developing software to support the activities of institutions responsible for national security. Bringing together academic staff with experts in software development, the lab specializes in building analytical systems to support decision-making.

FSLab website: fslab.agh.edu.pl

Polish Platform for Homeland Security

The Polish Platform for Homeland Security (PPHS) is an association whose mission is to increase the level of security in the functioning of society by supporting the services and institutions responsible for the security and law and order of the Republic of Poland in the creation of dedicated, innovative technological, organizational and legal solutions.

The Polish Platform for Homeland Security was established in 2005 as a place for dialogue between end-users, the scientific and research world and the administration responsible for funding research. Over time, PPBW has also become a platform for building consortia implementing activities to create dedicated technological and IT solutions to support the activities of entities responsible for public security. PPBW also actively participates in legislative work dedicated to the creation of appropriate legal regulations that enable the actual use of modern technologies, which are the result of research and development work. In addition, through its consultations and educational activities, PPBW supports the process of building public confidence in new technologies in the area of security.

PPBW website: www.ppbw.pl

The Kosciuszko Institute

The Kosciuszko Institute is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit scientific and research institute, founded in 2000. Based on in-depth, interdisciplinary analysis, IK promotes solutions in the form of program recommendations and expert opinions, the recipients of which are EU, state and local government institutions, Polish and European politicians and decision-makers, as well as the media, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts of independent thought and open debate. IK engages academics, experts, and practitioners of public and socio-economic activities associated with Polish, European and international institutions. It implements nationwide and European scientific projects, develops expert opinions and program recommendations, organizes conferences and conducts publishing activities in cooperation with Polish and European academic centres, EU, government and local government institutions and international think tanks.

The Institute's activities are centered around five program areas, i.e. Cyber Security, Institutions and Law, International Security, Energy and Climate, and Economy. Due to the dynamically changing security environment, especially in terms of ICT security, and the noticeable need to build Poland's image as a trustworthy player and partner, strong both politically and economically, it is the last area - cyber security - that is most noticeable in current activity. Through activities directed at identifying legislative issues and involving a wide range of specialists in their fields in its work, the Institute seeks to participate realistically in the discussion on the formation of public policies. It recognizes the need to analyze both global and regional trends, related, among other things, to the need to expand the country's ICT competence.

The Kosciuszko Institute is the organizer of a prestigious conference - the European Cyber Security Forum - CYBERSEC. The Institute supports domestic entrepreneurship, including recognizing the needs coming from the small and medium-sized enterprise sector and startups. With this in mind, it implements a number of initiatives to meet the expectations of the sector, carried out with the support of Kraków's research centres and ICT companies. One such initiative is the project "CYBERSEC in MAŁOPOLSKA - a network of integrated activities supporting and promoting Małopolska ICT companies and building cyber-security of the region," co-financed by the European Union under the Regional Operational Program of the Małopolska Voivodeship for 2014-2020, Priority Axis "Entrepreneurial Małopolska," activity "Internationalization of the Małopolska economy," sub-activity "Economic promotion of Małopolska."

Institute's website: www.ik.org.pl