The new sixth-generation (6G) telecommunications standard will not only transmit data but will also function as sensors capable of locating objects that are within reach. The European research project PAISES-6G, led by the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), is working on technological solutions to ensure that all communications on a 6G network, including this integrated detection capability, are secure and ethical. To achieve this, it will integrate a native security layer combining artificial intelligence for cybersecurity, quantum-safe cryptography, and built-in privacy protections.

The main objective of this project is to design 6G networks that are secure, intelligent, and respectful of citizens' privacy from the very beginning, rather than as a later addition. According to the researchers, one of the most innovative topics they are addressing is related to ISAC (Integrated Sensing and Communications) technologies—communications with integrated sensing capability that 6G will feature. The idea is that 6G antennas will not only transmit data (as they do today) but will also be able to "see" the environment, detect movement, locate people, and monitor their status. It is like equipping the network with a sort of radar. UC3M and the Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni (CNIT) will work together on this topic.

"This opens up enormous possibilities, such as monitoring a patient at home without them wearing any sensors. However, it also poses serious risks: who controls that information? Can the network 'spy' on us? We are working precisely on how to make that sensing capability secure and only accessible to those who have permission to use it, and even enabling users to make themselves invisible," explains Pablo Serrano, project coordinator and professor in the Department of Telematic Engineering at UC3M.

AI, quantum security, and privacy by design

To achieve this, they are focusing on three major innovative technological pillars. First, preventive artificial intelligence at the service of cybersecurity. The project develops systems capable of anticipating attacks before they occur, rather than simply reacting once something has already happened. It uses agents based on Large Language Models (the type of technology behind systems like ChatGPT) that monitor the network in real time and autonomously detect suspicious behaviour. In short, moving from reactive to proactive security.

The second line of work is quantum security. This is because quantum computers, once fully developed, will be able to break the encryption systems that currently protect our communications. For this reason, PAISES-6G is already working on post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution solutions to shield future networks against these threats.

Thirdly, the project develops mechanisms that allow operators, companies, and users to share data securely, even when they do not fully trust each other. In other words, embedding privacy into the very design of the networks. With 6G, massive amounts of sensitive information will be managed (including ISAC); therefore, this project is developing techniques so that different actors can collaborate and share data without anyone seeing what they shouldn't, such as federated learning or differential privacy. "This opens the door to new business models and greater competition and innovation in the telecommunications ecosystem," points out Pablo Serrano.

Security of future networks

The PAISES-6G project (Pioneering AI-Enhanced Secure 6G Services Framework) is funded with 8 million euros by the European Union under the Horizon Europe program (GA101292896) and brings together 18 organizations from 9 countries: universities, research centres, large technology companies, and telecommunications operators, as well as specialized small businesses. Spain stands out as the country with the greatest specific weight within the consortium, concentrating four strategic partners: UC3M itself, Telefónica Innovación Digital, the Ikerlan technology center, and the IMDEA Networks. Project members include Telecom Italia, NEC Laboratories Europe (Germany), alongside institutions such as the CNIT (Italy), the Kyiv Aviation Institute (Ukraine), and a dozen other European partners.

"The security of future networks cannot be built from a single laboratory or a single country. You need the operators who deploy the networks, the equipment manufacturers, the quantum cryptography experts, the privacy specialists, and the legal experts who know and will be able to develop the new European regulations regarding the ethical and legal aspects of using communications networks," concludes Pablo Serrano.

The project's work plan includes the deployment and validation of the first prototypes in real laboratory environments during the second year, highlighting the NEXTONIC laboratory in Leganés and the Gotham laboratory in the Basque Country. Finally, the project seeks to guarantee the real impact of its research on society. To prevent solutions from remaining purely theoretical, the partners will transfer the results directly to international standardization bodies (3GPP and ETSI), ensuring that the security model designed at UC3M becomes part of the definitive global 6G telecommunications standard.

PAISES-6G project website: https://paises-6g.eu

Video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kKWkL-FZ42s