COLLABS · Project

Cybersecurity Shield for Connected Factories Sharing Data Across Supply Chains

manufacturingPilotedTRL 7

Imagine a factory floor where every machine talks to machines in other factories — sharing production data, coordinating orders, optimizing supply chains. Now imagine a hacker gets in and shuts it all down or steals your trade secrets. COLLABS built a security system specifically for this: it watches network traffic with AI to spot attacks in real time, encrypts data so partners can collaborate without seeing each other's secrets, and uses blockchain to create tamper-proof audit trails. Think of it as a combination burglar alarm, safe, and security camera system — designed specifically for the factory internet.

By the numbers

consortium partners across the project

countries represented in the consortium

real-world manufacturing use cases validated

industry partners in the consortium

62%

industry partner ratio in the consortium

total project deliverables produced

TRL 7

technology readiness level reached

The business problem

What needed solving

Connected factories are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks — every sensor, robot, and cloud connection is a potential entry point. When manufacturers share production data across supply chains (which Industry 4.0 demands), they expose themselves to data theft, sabotage, and operational shutdowns. Most cybersecurity tools were designed for office IT, not for factory floors where a false alarm can halt a production line and a missed attack can cause physical damage.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered a complete cyber-intelligence platform including: an integrated security system tested at month 18 and refined through month 30; AI-based anomaly detection for spotting attacks on industrial networks; secure data-sharing tools using encryption and blockchain; a Minimum Viable Product ready for commercial development; and documented best practices for long-term operation at TRL 7. All validated across 3 real-world manufacturing use cases.

Audience

Who needs this

Manufacturing companies sharing production data with supply chain partnersIndustrial IoT platform providers adding security features to their productsAutomotive and aerospace suppliers meeting OEM cybersecurity requirementsPharmaceutical manufacturers protecting sensitive batch and formulation dataFactory operators needing NIS2 compliance for connected production systems

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Automotive manufacturing

mid-size

Target: Tier 1-2 automotive suppliers sharing production data with OEMs

If you are an automotive parts manufacturer sharing real-time production data with your OEM customers — this project developed an AI-powered threat detection system validated across 3 real-world use cases that spots cyberattacks on factory networks before they cause downtime. It encrypts your shared data so partners can coordinate without exposing your proprietary processes, and provides blockchain-based audit trails proving compliance with supply chain security requirements.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Contract manufacturers handling sensitive formulation data

If you are a pharma contract manufacturer exchanging batch data and quality records with multiple clients — this project built secure multi-party computation tools that let you collaborate on production optimization without revealing confidential formulations. The system was tested to TRL 7 with 13 partners across 7 countries, proving it works in real multi-site environments where trust between parties is limited.

Industrial IoT platform providers

SME

Target: Companies selling IIoT connectivity and monitoring solutions

If you are an IIoT platform vendor whose customers worry about connecting legacy machines to the cloud — this project delivered a minimum viable product for edge-to-cloud security that includes anomaly detection using deep learning and distributed remote attestation to verify device integrity. With 8 industry partners involved in development, the technology was designed for real manufacturing environments, not just lab conditions.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to implement this cybersecurity system in our factory?

The project did not publish specific licensing or implementation costs. As a publicly funded EU research project, the core technology may be available through the consortium partners. Contact the coordinator (CEA, France) or the 8 industry partners for pricing and deployment options.

Can this scale to protect a multi-site manufacturing operation?

Yes — the system was specifically designed for distributed, collaborative manufacturing. It was validated across 3 real-world use cases with 13 partners operating in 7 countries, demonstrating cross-border, multi-site capability. The architecture covers edge devices through to cloud infrastructure.

Who owns the intellectual property and can we license this?

IP is shared among the 13 consortium partners according to EU grant rules. With 8 industry partners (62% of the consortium), there is strong commercial orientation. The project delivered a Minimum Viable Product, suggesting licensing or commercial partnerships may be available through the industry partners.

Does this help us meet NIS2 or other cybersecurity regulations?

The system addresses threat prevention, detection, mitigation, and real-time response — core requirements under NIS2 for essential entities including manufacturers. The blockchain-based accountability and audit trail features directly support compliance documentation and incident reporting obligations.

How long would it take to deploy in an existing factory?

Based on available project data, the integrated system went through at least two integration milestones (at month 18 and month 30) during the 3-year project. Best practices for long-term operation were documented as a deliverable, suggesting deployment guidance exists. Exact timelines depend on factory complexity.

Does it work with our existing industrial control systems and IoT devices?

The project specifically targeted Industrial Internet of Things environments and Industry 4.0 setups. It includes edge-to-cloud security and hardware-enabled security features, indicating compatibility with existing industrial hardware. The 3 use cases came from complementary manufacturing domains, testing diverse equipment integration.

Is there ongoing support or has the project ended?

The project officially ended in December 2022. However, with 8 industry partners in the consortium, commercial support channels likely exist. The project delivered best practices documentation for long-term operation and maintenance, and a Minimum Viable Product that partners may continue developing commercially.

Consortium

Who built it

COLLABS brings together 13 partners from 7 countries (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia), led by CEA — one of Europe's top research organizations. What matters for business: 8 of the 13 partners are from industry (62%), meaning this technology was built with commercial input, not just academic theory. The consortium includes 3 universities and 2 research organizations providing deep technical expertise in AI and cryptography, while the industry partners ensured the solutions work in real factory conditions. With only 1 SME, the focus leaned toward enterprise-grade solutions. The multi-country spread across major European manufacturing economies means the technology has been tested against diverse regulatory and operational environments.

COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESCoordinator · FR
RENAULT SASparticipant · FR
CHAROKOPEIO PANEPISTIMIOparticipant · EL
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR MARKET LEADERSHIPparticipant · EL
University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciencesparticipant · RS
THALES SIX GTS FRANCE SASparticipant · FR
INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGparticipant · DE
IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNASparticipant · EL
PHILIPS CONSUMER LIFESTYLE BVparticipant · NL
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVAparticipant · IT
ADVANCED LABORATORY ON EMBEDDED SYSTEMS SRLparticipant · IT
SPHYNX TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS AGparticipant · CH
SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTparticipant · DE

How to reach the team

Coordinator is CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives) in France — a major national research organization. Reach out through their technology transfer office or the project website contact page.

Order a report on this consortium See COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the COLLABS team to explore licensing the cybersecurity platform or partnering on deployment? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction to the right consortium partner for your specific manufacturing security needs.

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