IoT devices present an ever-growing domain with multiple applicability. This technology has favored and still favors many areas by creating critical infrastructures that are as profitable as possible. This paper presents a hierarchical architecture composed of different licensing entities that manage access to different resources within a network infrastructure. They are conducted on the basis of well-drawn policy rules. At the same time, the security side of these resources is also placed through a context awareness module. Together with this technology, IoT is used and Blockchain is enabled (for network consolidation, as well as the transparency with which to monitor the platform). The ultimate goal is to implement a secure and scalable security platform for the Smart Grid. The paper presents the work undertaken in the SealedGRID project and the steps taken for implementing security policies specifically tailored to the Smart Grid, based on advanced concepts such as Opinion Dynamics and Smart Grid-related Attribute-based Access Control.

Recent advancements in information and communication technologies (ICT) have improved the power grid, leading to what is known as the smart grid, which, as part of a critical economic and social infrastructure, is vulnerable to security threats from the use of ICT and new emerging vulnerabilities and privacy issues. Access control is a fundamental element of a security infrastructure, and security is based on the principles of less privilege, zero-trust, and segregation of duties. This work addresses how access control can be applied without disrupting the power grid’s functioning while also properly maintaining the security, scalability, and interoperability of the smart grid. The authentication in the platform presumes digital certificates using a web of trust. This paper presents the findings of the SealedGRID project, and the steps taken for implementing Attribute-based access control policies specifically customized to the smart grid. The outcome is to develop a novel, hierarchical architecture composed of different licensing entities that manages access to resources within the network infrastructure. They are based on well-drawn policy rules and the security side of these resources is placed through a context awareness module. Together with this technology, the IoT is used with Big Data (facilitating easy handling of large databases). Another goal of this paper is to present implementation and evaluations details of a secure and scalable security platform for the smart grid.

- This paper presents an in-depth description of a multi-modal security solution based on a blockchain architecture developed within the CHRISS (Critical infrastructure High accuracy and Robustness increase Integrated Synchronization Solutions) project. Specifically, the focus in the paper is on the description of the proposed security architecture, functionalities and security measures based on modern blockchain solutions developed for the CHRISS project. The CHRISS project proposes an innovative solution that comes to increase the robustness of synchronization signal distribution mechanisms in telecommunications networks. The proposed solution allows a superior monitoring of the operation of synchronization signal distribution equipment in telecommunications networks, equipment generically called TSU (Time Synchronization Unit). These equipment generically contain a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) signal reception system from which the time reference is extracted through a complex procedure and a complex mechanism for transmitting these signals on SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) optical ports using the specific PTP (Precision Time Protocol) protocols. Robust and detailed monitoring of the operation of TSU equipment in the context of the existence of a hostile operating environment that implies the possibility of jamming or interference attacks, spoofing or dedicated cyber-attacks is vital. Affecting the operation of this equipment entails disruption to the operation of an entire telecommunications network. This is possible because these systems contribute directly to the network-wide distribution of the synchronization signal. By leveraging the inherent characteristics of blockchain solutions, such as immutability, decentralization, and cryptographic security, the proposed security architecture increases the resilience and security of time distribution services, thereby mitigating the associated risks. This paper describes the relationship between blockchain-based security architecture and the specific manner of monitoring and protecting TSU equipment.

Entity recognition, also known as named entity recognition (NER), is a fundamental task in natural language processing (NLP) that involves identifying and categorizing entities within text. These entities, such as names of people, organizations, locations, dates, and numerical values, provide structured information from unstructured text data. NER models, ranging from rule-based to machine learning-based approaches, decode linguistic patterns and contextual information to extract entities effectively. This article explores the roles of entities, tokens, and NER models in NLP, detailing their significance in various applications like information retrieval and border security. It delves into the practices of implementing NER in legal document analysis, travel history analysis, and document verification, showcasing its transformative impact in streamlining processes and enhancing security measures. Despite challenges such as ambiguity and data scarcity, ongoing research and emerging trends in multilingual NER and ethical considerations promise to drive innovation in the field. By addressing these challenges and embracing new developments, entity recognition is poised to continue advancing NLP capabilities and powering diverse real-world applications.