Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM
Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM

Automated security
assessment of critical
infrastructure

We develop customized solutions for the automated assessment of critical infrastructure.

Automated security
assessment of critical
infrastructure

We support critical infrastructure operators with sensor technology and intelligent data analysis, enabling them to efficiently and sustainably meet the requirements of the Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive.

Sensor technology and intelligent data analysis for efficiently implementing the Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive

The EU's Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive addresses physical threats to critical infrastructure. It differs from the second Network and Information Systems (NIS2) Directive, which focuses on cybersecurity. Both directives were introduced in January 2023 and aim to strengthen the EU’s resilience to growing physical and digital threats by standardizing rules and definitions regarding resilience measures. Once implemented, the CER Directive will impose numerous new requirements on critical infrastructure operators. The legislation establishes minimum, uniform standards for the operational and physical resilience of affected facilities. The all-hazards approach enshrined in the law requires these facilities to conduct regular risk analyses, develop resilience plans, and demonstrate compliance with legal requirements, among other things.
 

We generate data for an efficient risk assessments in the context of the CER Directive with:

- Customized sensor technologies
- Data analysis strategies
- Tailored user interfaces for data management.
 

Reliable data is key to effective critical infrastructure management

Implementing measures to meet the requirements of the CER Directive is more than just a management task. Since the law addresses the resilience of physical assets, valid and up-to-date data on the affected objects is essential for tasks such as assessing perimeter security. Inspections by testing personnel, visual examinations, and manual documentation, such as camera images or written notes, will no longer suffice to meet the Directive’s stringent requirements. Digital 3D models are indispensable for risk assessment, crisis management, resilience reporting, and auditing. Geometric data of buildings and facilities to be protected forms the basis for these models, which can be enriched with information regarding objects, safety distances, damage, and general anomalies. The 3D models enable virtual inspections and assessments and allow changes to infrastructure over time to be identified and compared with security requirements. It is also possible to simulate hazardous situations, such as flooding or major fires.

Plan measurement campaigns, automate and streamline processes

A digital 3D model should contain the exact data that critical infrastructure operators need to meet their reporting obligations. To create the perfect model, we capture data precisely according to the required quality standards. Based on this data, measurements and analyses can be planned strategically. Which parts of the infrastructure are particularly important and require higher-quality data? Where are potential vulnerabilities? Which sensors are suitable for this purpose? What are the relevant object classes that AI should automatically recognize in the data? What are the thresholds for critical distances, deviations, etc.? What specific questions need to be addressed? At what intervals are measurements taken?

Our offer: Automated security assessment for data-driven
implementation of the CER Directive

3D model tailored to the facility's specific requirements.

Fraunhofer IPM helps critical infrastructure operators obtain digital 3D models that meet the specific requirements of the CER Directive. In addition to collecting data for these models and providing tools for data analysis and visualization, we address specific questions regarding the protection of the respective facilities. These may include characteristics of the surrounding area, such as terrain, topography, vegetation, and seasonal conditions, in addition to the specific conditions of the buildings. Using this data, we can automatically assess factors such as lighting conditions, visual privacy, and hazards posed by adjacent infrastructure, such as roads.

Data collection using multimodal sensors on mobile platforms

We use multimodal sensors, primarily LiDAR and camera systems, for data collection. Depending on the requirements, these sensors can be handheld or mounted on various mobile platforms. They enable data collection from vehicles, drones, and autonomous robotic platforms, even underwater or indoors. Drone-in-a-box solutions allow the sensor systems to operate largely autonomously, for example, for regular data collection at remote or hard-to-reach locations.

Our team will work with you to plan measurement campaigns, ensuring you receive the exact data you need. We train AI-based algorithms to analyze the data and identify relevant objects. Specific parameters, such as distances or deviations from target values, can be automatically detected and reported in the digital model.

Our services cover the entire process of creating digital 3D models, including data collection, analysis, provision, and management. Throughout this process, you retain full control over your data, ensuring data sovereignty.

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  • Perimeter security is a core issue in threat mitigation for virtually all critical infrastructure sectors, including power plants, transportation and communications infrastructure, hospitals, and correctional facilities. Many object classes are relevant to perimeter protection, including fences, walls, gates, poles, bollards, lighting fixtures, and more. Terrain, soil conditions, and the properties of security-relevant objects are also critical to protection against intruders. Since each object requiring protection is unique, it demands specific components and systems for perimeter security that are interdependent in complex ways.

    Our offer: More than just data

    • Custom-fit sensor technology for data acquisition
    • AI-based, automated data processing
    • Customized human-machine interfaces

    We develop custom multisensor systems that use measurement technology to map terrain and facilities for perimeter protection purposes. Our systems derive digital models from fused 2D camera and 3D LiDAR data, automatically identifying relevant objects, distances, and deviations from target values. Our artificial neural networks are trained to automatically recognize all of the aforementioned object classes and parameters. From this data, we generate hazard maps, incident reports, and other outputs. Our graphical user interfaces present all relevant information in a concise and clear manner, ensuring easy access to the measurement data.

3D data for infrastructure and environmental digitization

 

© Fraunhofer IPM

 

We develop customized multisensor systems to survey buildings, civil engineering structures, transportation infrastructure, and agricultural land. We use AI-based strategies for data analysis that provide the precise information relevant to the task at hand.

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Further information about »Object and Shape Detection«