European research & innovation · Horizon Europe · SNS JU

Intelligent Defence for Secure 6G Networks

SHIELD‑6G is a European research and innovation project developing advanced cybersecurity solutions for future 6G networks. By combining AI-driven cyber threat intelligence, automated response capabilities, privacy-preserving technologies, and security-by-design principles, the project aims to strengthen the resilience, trustworthiness, and security of next-generation digital infrastructure.

Project mission

Security built into the next generation of networks

Future 6G networks will support increasingly critical digital services, ranging from connected healthcare and smart manufacturing to maritime communications and other mission-critical applications. These environments require cybersecurity capabilities that can keep pace with evolving threats while maintaining trust, resilience, and operational continuity. SHIELD‑6G's mission is to advance research and innovation in intelligent cybersecurity for 6G by developing technologies for cyber threat intelligence, automated response, privacy-preserving security, and security validation. Through collaboration across academia, research organisations, and industry, the project aims to contribute to a secure and trustworthy foundation for Europe's future digital infrastructure.

Ambition

Four directions of research

AI-Driven Cyber Threat Intelligence

Develop advanced cyber threat intelligence capabilities for 6G networks that can detect, analyse, and respond to cyber threats in real time. By leveraging artificial intelligence and data-driven insights, SHIELD‑6G aims to strengthen situational awareness and support proactive cybersecurity operations.

Privacy-Preserving Security

Advance privacy-preserving approaches that enable secure data sharing and collaborative threat intelligence without compromising sensitive information. Through technologies such as federated learning, SHIELD‑6G seeks to enhance cybersecurity while maintaining trust and data protection.

Intelligent Security Automation

Develop intelligent and automated security mechanisms that can support faster threat detection, mitigation, and response. The project aims to improve the resilience of future 6G infrastructures by reducing response times and enabling more adaptive cybersecurity operations.

Security Validation and Trust

Establish innovative methods for testing, validating, and auditing cybersecurity solutions before deployment. Using advanced validation environments, including digital twins, SHIELD‑6G aims to support trustworthy, transparent, and resilient security for future 6G networks.

Key highlights

The project at a glance

19 Partners

A multidisciplinary consortium uniting leading organisations from academia, research, telecommunications, and industry.

10 Countries

Bringing together expertise from across Europe to advance cybersecurity research for future 6G networks.

36 Months

A collaborative research and innovation effort funded under Horizon Europe and SNS JU.

3 Strategic Use Cases

Healthcare, smart manufacturing, and maritime connectivity driving the validation of project outcomes.

AI-Driven Cybersecurity

Developing intelligent cyber threat intelligence, automated response, and security automation capabilities.

Security by Design

Embedding trust, resilience, privacy, and security into future 6G network architectures.

Use cases

Validated where security is critical

View all use cases →

Stay updated

Stay informed about SHIELD‑6G's activities, public deliverables, scientific publications, events, and research outcomes that contribute to the development of cybersecurity solutions for future 6G networks.