NEWS AND UPDATES
Below you can find all the latest developments and news related to the CARISMATICA Chair:
18th October 2024
Doctoral student Rafael Genés and Professor José Luis Muñoz make strides in their research with a stay in Paris
Seminar on Zero-Knowledge Proofs in blockchain brings together experts at LINCS
Doctoral student Rafael Genés and Professor José Luis Muñoz-Tapia, both members of the CARISMATICA Chair, are conducting a month-long research stay at the Institut Mines-Telecom in Paris throughout October. The focus is on advancing their studies in cybersecurity, blockchain, and algorithms like Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs).
On October 9th, Professor Muñoz-Tapia delivered a seminar titled “Zero Knowledge Proofs in Blockchain” at the Laboratory for Information, Networking and Communication Sciences (LINCS). The event was a success, with around 15 participants, including students, employees of IMT-related companies, and other university members.
Numerous questions about this complex topic were addressed, highlighting the relevance of ZKPs in the field of cybersecurity.
17th October 2024
The Enigma Machine: The Nazi Secret Code and the Allied Effort to Break It
An interactive workshop on the history of cryptography during World War II
On November 13th at 18:00, as part of Science Week, the workshop “The Enigma Machine: The Nazi Secret Code and the Allied Effort to Break It” will be held at the Aula Teleensenyament of ETSETB-UPC. This event, organized by the CARISMATICA Chair, Telecos BCN, and genereUPC, is open to anyone interested in attending.
During the session, participants will learn how the Nazi army used the Enigma machine to encrypt its communications during World War II, and how the Allies, led by Alan Turing and a team largely composed of women, succeeded in breaking these codes. The event will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of Jean Valentine’s birth, one of the key figures in this achievement. Attendees will get hands-on experience with a real Enigma machine, followed by a talk and discussion led by Germán Saez Moreno.
Additionally, schools can book exclusive sessions by contacting catedra.carismatica@upc.edu, which will include a guided tour of UPC’s laboratories.
More information here: https://setmanaciencia.fundaciorecerca.cat/frontend/detall_activitat.asp?ID=6863
16th October 2024
Images from the Diálogos UPCArts Event: How Do We Protect Our Online Life?
A well-attended session with four prominent female cybersecurity experts
Today, we share images from the “Diálogos UPCArts: How Do We Protect Our Online Life?” event, held last Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at Casa Seat, Barcelona. The event saw a large turnout, reflecting the growing interest in cybersecurity and the protection of our data in the digital age.
Four female speakers offered an insightful and educational overview of the current challenges in this field. Mónica Espinosa from the Agency for Cybersecurity of Catalonia; Selva Orejón, founder of OnBranding; Mariola Dinarès, a journalist and technology advocate; and Paz Morillo, professor at UPC and expert in cryptography, shared their knowledge and experiences on how to safeguard our online lives from increasing digital threats.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where the audience had the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers, covering topics such as safe social media use, privacy protection, and solutions to cyberattacks. Montse Guardia, engineer and president of the UPC Social Council, moderated the session and facilitated a rich discussion between the experts and the audience.
4th October 2024
Diàlegs UPCArts: How do we protect our online lives?
The event will take place on Tuesday, October 8 at Casa Seat, Barcelona
Next Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., a new session of Diàlegs UPCArts will take place at Casa Seat (Passeig de Gràcia, 109, Barcelona).
The talk, titled “Ciberseguretat: com protegim la nostra vida online?”, will feature experts like Mónica Espinosa from the Catalan Cybersecurity Agency, Selva Orejón from OnBRANDING, Mariola Dinarès, a journalist specializing in technology, and Paz Morillo, a UPC professor and expert in cryptography.
The session will be moderated by Montse Guardia, engineer and president of UPC’s Social Council.
This event will address the main cybersecurity challenges in people’s everyday lives, exploring how to protect our data and identity in an increasingly digitized environment.
27th September 2024
Mikel Cortés’ thesis defense on Ethereum PoS
The author defends his research on September 26 at UPC’s Campus Nord
On September 26, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., in Aula Màster C3005 at UPC’s Campus Nord, Mikel Cortés Goicoechea will present and defend his PhD thesis titled “A Deep Dive into Ethereum’s PoS Transition: Protocol Design Choices and Their Empirical Unexpected Limitations”.
The thesis has been supervised by José Luis Muñoz Tapia, a member of the CARISMATICA Chair, and co-supervised by Leonardo Arturo Bautista Gomez.
Mikel Cortés’ research delves into the design decisions behind Ethereum’s transition to Proof of Stake (PoS) and the unexpected empirical challenges that emerged during its implementation.
The defense is open to the academic community, who will have the opportunity to attend and ask questions at the end of the presentation.
26th September 2024
Honeypots Talk by Dani Guasch held today in Vilanova
Real deployment and attack analysis on honeypots in a controlled environment
Today, Thursday, September 26 at 12:45, Dani Guasch delivered a fascinating talk in Vilanova on the deployment of honeypots, where he presented the real implementation of one with a public IP address, using three different configurations: outside the UPC firewall, inside the UPC firewall, and adding the EUPVG firewall.
During the session, several attacks received were analyzed, some of which were even published on Twitter by the hackers themselves, adding a practical and revealing dimension to the discussion.
The event was broadcast via Meet, allowing remote participation from professors in Castelldefels and Barcelona. Attendees praised the session as both comprehensive and enlightening.
23rd September 2024
Best Master Thesis Award 2024: Antonio Alarcón receives the award
The award ceremony was held on September 18 in the B3 room of Campus Nord
On September 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., the Best Master Thesis Award ceremony took place, aimed at MCYBERS students from the 2023-2024 academic year. The event, held in the B3 Multimedia room at UPC’s Campus Nord, was supported by Fractus, which sponsored the award to promote the development of innovative cybersecurity solutions.
The award went to Antonio Alarcón for his thesis on optimizing machine learning models for detecting attacks in IoMT networks.
The event featured presentations about the role of the CARISMATICA Chair, the importance of the ETSETB in training engineers, and Fractus’ contribution to the technology sector.
The day concluded with a catered reception for all attendees.
19th September 2024
Professor Josep Pegueroles attends the UGR-INCIBE Cybersecurity Conference in Granada
The CARISMATICA Chair represented at an international cybersecurity event
Between September 9 and 13, 2024, the UGR-INCIBE Cybersecurity Conference was held at the CajaGranada Foundation, organized by the Cátedra CiberUGR INCIBE of the University of Granada. Representing the CARISMATICA Chair from UPC, Professor Josep Pegueroles attended the sessions held from September 11 to 13.
This event brought together national and international cybersecurity experts, who discussed key technical, regulatory, and ethical challenges related to digital security. The high quality of the speakers, direct contacts of the organizers Margarita Robles and Pedro García Teodoro, significantly contributed to the success of the conference.
September 11: Cybersecurity, Policy, and Regulation
Professor Pegueroles attended the first session on September 11, where Mar López Gil opened the debate on cybersecurity challenges in the healthcare sector, focusing on the protection of sensitive data such as medical records. Damián Ruiz Soriano continued by analyzing public-private collaboration in cybersecurity, highlighting the importance of clusters as platforms for cooperation. Clara Mapelli Marchena concluded the day with a presentation on Spain’s digital transformation policy and the government’s regulatory efforts.
September 12: Cybersecurity and Defense
On September 12, the conference shifted its focus to cyber defense. Russell Buchan offered insights into the legal frameworks governing cyber warfare, while Gregorio Miguel Pulido Alonso delved into operations in cyberspace and the associated risks. Marina Rodríguez Díaz wrapped up the day by analyzing disinformation campaigns and their impact on national security.
September 13: Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence
The final day, September 13, focused on the relationship between cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI). Mark Coeckelbergh discussed the risks and benefits of AI for democracy, followed by Irfan-Ullah Awan, who spoke about how AI can mitigate hard-to-detect cyberattacks such as “Low and Slow”. Pablo García Mexía closed the conference with a presentation on the regulatory challenges of AI and the protection of fundamental rights.
Professor Josep Pegueroles, representing the CARISMATICA Chair, witnessed a high-level event with a diverse audience that included students and professionals from both academia and industry. Participation in such conferences not only strengthens ties among INCIBE Chairs but also allows for broader reflections on the social and regulatory impact of cybersecurity. Furthermore, the need for greater collaboration among INCIBE Chairs was highlighted to strengthen the network of synergies in future events.
Link to the official news of the event:
https://catedras.ugr.es/ciberugr-incibe/informacion/noticias/congresociber
16th September 2024
Best Master Thesis Award for the Cybersecurity Master’s (MCYBERS) students of the 2023-2024 academic year
A Day of Celebration and Recognition at the CARISMATICA Chair
The following Wednesday, September 18th, 2024, at 5:00 PM, the Best Master Thesis Award for the students of the Cybersecurity Master’s (MCYBERS) for the 2023-2024 academic year will take place. The event will be held in the B3 Multimedia Room at Campus Nord UPC and is sponsored by Fractus, a company committed to promoting innovation and development in the field of cybersecurity.
The program will feature several talks, including a presentation on the projects from the CARISMÁTICA Chair, an overview of the ETSETB, and a discussion from Fractus about their interest in supporting young talent in the cybersecurity sector.
After the presentations, the awards will be given to the best Master Thesis projects, recognizing the hard work and quality of the projects developed by students throughout the academic year. The event will conclude with a catering, providing attendees an opportunity to exchange ideas and celebrate their accomplishments.
This event aims to highlight the talent of students and their contribution to the field of cybersecurity, while also fostering stronger connections between academia and industry.
5th July 2024
We are participating in the organization of the Nerd Days 2024
A forum for the presentation of innovative projects in the Department of Telematics Engineering
On July 2nd, the CARISMÁTICA Chair of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) participated in the organization of the Nerd Days 2024. This event, aimed at the scientific community, provided a forum for students from the Department of Telematic Engineering to present their work and projects. The presentations were organized into four different categories, awarding prizes for the best work in each: Ph.D.1, Ph.D.2, Master’s, and Bachelor’s.
The day began with a session dedicated to first and second-year students of the Ph.D. Program in Telematic Engineering (Ph.D.1), where innovative projects were presented, such as multiradio mesh architectures for new IoT scenarios, realistic urban traffic generators through reinforcement learning, and digital twin network architectures through network virtualization. This session also included a special presentation from the CARISMÁTICA Chair, followed by a coffee break.
Next, the Ph.D.2 session highlighted projects on intelligent energy management for IoE devices in 6G networks, data privacy and security in blockchain applications, and ecosystems of fair and reliable digital markets. These projects were presented by third-year and beyond students of the Ph.D. Program in Telematic Engineering.
After lunch, the Master’s session included presentations on the processing of spatiotemporal graphics for dynamic routing between satellites in 5G NR-NTN, evaluation of machine learning models for detecting attacks in IoMT networks, and optimization of satellite operations, among other topics. Students who completed their master’s studies during the 2023-2024 academic year had the opportunity to present their master’s theses.
The day concluded with the Bachelor’s session, where students who completed their bachelor’s studies during the 2023-2024 academic year presented their Final Degree Projects (TFG). Topics included the detection of anti-analysis malware techniques, the design and validation of machine learning algorithms applied to routing management for autonomous vehicles, and the implementation of the external communication system for a Formula Student car.
During the awards ceremony, the participation of Antonio Alarcón, who ranked second in his category (master’s), and Rafael Genes, who ranked first in his category (doctoral thesis), was highlighted. Both students are currently pursuing their doctoral theses within the research lines of the CARISMÁTICA Chair.
Nerd Days 2024 has been an excellent opportunity to showcase the talent and research of the academic community, as well as to promote collaboration and the exchange of ideas between students and experts.
14th June 2024
New talks on blockchain technology to close the first course of the CARISMATICA Chair
Talks on Innovation in Blockchain Technology and Its Applications
The CARISMÀTICA Chair at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), in collaboration with the National Institute of Cybersecurity (INCIBE), is proud to announce the expansion of its lecture series with three new conferences. These additional sessions focus on blockchain technology and its applications, offering an in-depth look at this emerging field.
New Lectures
Seminar on Blockchain Technology Projects and Research
This seminar introduces a new field of research in decentralized technologies and applications, particularly relevant for scientists, researchers, and experts in engineering and finance. The main objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of the general concepts of decentralized technologies and applications and their use in IoT, industry, and finance.
Specific Learning Outcomes of the Seminar:
- Understanding the fundamentals of decentralized technologies and applications.
- Knowledge and comprehension of the architectural design of decentralized applications.
- Understanding the limitations in cybersecurity and scalability.
Additionally, an overview of blockchain-related projects developed in recent months by the ISG-MAK group will be presented, discussing the objectives, methodologies employed, and results achieved.
One of CARISMÀTICA’s main focuses is the study of blockchain technology for detecting and mitigating cybersecurity attacks in health networks. These lectures provide an introduction to understanding the issues and ongoing work in this field.
Lecture Details
Decentralized Technology and Applications (Lecture in English)
Date and Time: June 12, 16:00 – 17:30
Location: Telematics Seminar, Building C3, 3rd Floor
Guest Speaker: Matevž Pustišek, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, specializing in IoT architectures, security aspects, and the use of blockchain technologies in IoT.
Blockchain Traceability to Promote the Circular Economy and Other Blockchain Projects by the Group
Date and Time: June 14, 12:00 – 13:30
Location: Telematics Seminar, Building C3, 3rd Floor
Speaker: Carla Brugulat Rica, Master in Technological Project Management and Business Administration, and Telecommunications Engineering graduate from ETSETB – UPC. Currently, finishing a Master’s in Blockchain Technology from the UPC School.
Zero-Knowledge Proofs and Their Application in Blockchain Scalability
Date and Time: June 18, 16:00 – 17:30
Location: Online
Speaker: Marc Guzmán, Mathematics graduate from the University of Barcelona (UB) and Master in Advanced Mathematics from UB. Currently, pursuing a Ph.D. in Telematics Engineering at UPC, with a thesis focused on cryptography, particularly in verifiable computation and zero-knowledge proofs.
These lectures will close a successful academic year for the CARISMÀTICA Chair, providing a platform to discuss the challenges and advancements in blockchain technology. We invite all interested parties to join these informative and enriching sessions.
6th June 2024
Next Wednesday, June 19, we present the YouTube channel of the CARISMATICA Chair
The CARISMATICA Chair of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) is excited to announce the launch of its new YouTube channel next Wednesday, June 19. This channel has been created to spread the activities of the chair and its results, as well as to offer weekly content on cyber security, solutions applied to the health sector, interviews and much more.
Publications will be made every Wednesday at 11:00am. The first three posts will be:
- Explanation of what the CHARISMATIC Chair is and what we do: An overview of the chair’s mission, goals and main activities.
- What is cybersecurity?: An introduction to the basics of cybersecurity, its importance, and best practices.
- What blockchain is and how we relate it to cybersecurity: A detailed explanation of blockchain technology and its relationship to cybersecurity, with examples of practical applications.
This channel will be a key platform for those interested in the advancement of cybersecurity and its applications in the healthcare sector. We invite all those interested to subscribe and follow our weekly publications to stay informed about the latest developments and research of the CHARISMATIC Chair.
You can access our channel through the following link: www.youtube.com/@CARISMATICA-UPC.
Don’t miss the launch of the channel next Wednesday, June 19 and our first posts the following Wednesdays at 11:00am!
3th June 2024
A cycle of talks with debate to close the first academic year of the CARISMATICA chair
Talks on applied cyber security in the health sector
The CHARISMÀTIC Chair of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Institute (INCIBE), is organizing a cycle of talks with debate to close its first academic year. These talks will focus on the protection of connected medical devices, known as Medical Internet of Things (MIoT) devices.
Connected medical devices provide real-time monitoring of patients’ vital signs, interactions, and health status. This category includes wearable, implantable medical devices, health applications, diagnostic monitors and therapeutic devices. However, they also pose security risks. A recent report has revealed that 53% of these devices could have critical vulnerabilities, which could lead to data breaches and even compromise the physical integrity of patients. It is essential to implement security measures within the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT).
One of the main focuses of CHARISMÁTICA is the study of Artificial Intelligence techniques to detect and mitigate cyber security attacks in MIoT networks. The seminar organized by the Telematics Engineering Department of the UPC serves as an introduction to understand the problems and ongoing work in this field.
Details of the talks:
How to build an MIoT testbed to generate attack traffic datasets (English talk)
Date and time: June 4, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m
Location: Telematics Seminar, Building C3, 3rd floor
Speaker: Ilya Shaposhnikov, Head of Offensive Security at MY.GAMES, penetration tester and researcher with over 7 years of experience in IoT security. He has participated in multiple international cyber security conferences such as Blackhat and discovered 22 CVEs.
Machine learning techniques to detect cyber attacks through network traffic analysis
Date and time: June 6, from 16:00 to 17:30
Location: Telematics Seminar, Building C3, 3rd floor
Lecturer: Antonio Alarcón, graduate in Aerospace Engineering and Telematics from EETAC-UPC. Currently completing a Master’s in Cybersecurity, working on a thesis at ISG on ML techniques applied to traffic analysis.
Current lines of research in the protection of MIoT networks
Date and time: June 10, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m
Location: Telematics Seminar, Building C3, 3rd floor
Lecturer: Jordi Domenech, Master in Telecommunications Engineering by ETSETB – UPC. Currently doing a doctoral thesis at ISG within the CHARISMATIC Chair, focused on the application of artificial intelligence techniques to detect and mitigate cyberattacks in MIoT networks.
All sessions will be streamed online via the following link: https://meet.google.com/obt-vzya-kpm
This series of talks not only closes an academic year full of successes for the CHARISMATIC Chair, but also provides a platform to discuss the challenges and advances in the security of connected medical devices. We invite all interested parties to join these informative and enriching sessions.
28th May 2024
We already have winners of the first CHARISMATIC HACKTAHON
Hackathon CARISMATICA: An Innovative Opportunity to Explore Cybersecurity and Blockchain!
TThe Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, in collaboration with Moonbeam and i2CAT, has successfully completed the first edition of the CHARISMÀTICA Hackathon, held from May 24 to 27 at the UPC North Campus. This event has brought together more than 45 people, both face-to-face and online, organized into seven teams, mostly composed of groups of 3 to 5 people, to develop innovative projects based on blockchain, fusing this technology with cyber security.
Participating teams:
- Coolchain
- DePass / dpassword
- EncryptAI
- EZTokens (Generic Tokenization)
- Oriol Innovation
- RWR (Rent With Reputation)
- Tornado Cash
After intense days of collaborative work, innovation and creativity, the winners of the CHARISMATIC Hackathon have finally been determined:
Winners:
- First Place: DePass / dpassword – This team has been recognized for its complete password management solution, standing out for its originality, technical feasibility and potential impact.
- Second Place: Coolchain – Focused on the healthcare sector, Coolchain has developed an innovative solution for temperature control of medicine refrigerators with blockchain registration, ensuring the integrity and security of temperature records.
The other teams, EncryptAI, EZTokens, Oriol Innovation, RWR, and Tornado Cash, have presented technically very competitive solutions and, for this reason, it has been decided to distribute the rest of the prizes equally between them, thus recognizing the high level of all proposals.
All the participants evaluated the hackathon experience very positively, completing a form in which they expressed their desire to participate in a second edition. In response to this demand, it is being considered to organize the next Hackathon CARISMATICA every October or the next spring of 2025.
The Hackathon CARISMATICA has been a unique experience that has allowed students to put their theoretical knowledge into practice in a real and challenging context. This event has fostered creativity, teamwork and technological innovation, establishing itself as an excellent platform for the development of blockchain and cybersecurity projects. Congratulations to all participants and winners!
13th May 2024
You can now register for the first CARISMATICA HACKATHON
Hackathon CARISMATICA: An Innovative Opportunity to Explore Cybersecurity and Blockchain!
The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, in collaboration with Moonbeam and i2CAT, is pleased to announce the first edition of the CARISMÁTICA Hackathon, a pioneering event aimed at exploring the fascinating world of cybersecurity and blockchain. This exciting initiative offers students a platform to develop innovative blockchain-based projects, using Moonbeam as their primary tool, thereby merging blockchain technology with the sphere of cybersecurity.
Event Details:
- Date and Location: The CHARISMATIC Hackathon will take place from Friday, May 24 to Monday, May 27 at the UPC Campus Nord, with an agenda full of both in-person and remote activities. The event will begin with registration and welcome on Friday, May 24 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sala Àgora UPC.
- Prizes: A total of $4,000 in prizes will be distributed, divided among the most outstanding projects, thus encouraging creativity and excellence in the field of blockchain technology.
Preliminary Agenda:
- Friday, May 24: Registration, welcome, presentations on objectives and awards, start of group or individual work, and in-person and remote work sessions.
- Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26: Remote teamwork with support through Telegram.
- Sunday, May 26: Delivery of results.
- Monday, May 27: Presentation of team results, awards ceremony, and closing with a snack.
Registration: Registration is now open! Those interested can register until Monday, May 20 through the following link: https://bit.ly/CarismaticaHack2024. Participation is allowed both in groups and individually, and any questions can be directed to catedra.carismatica@upc.edu or to the Telegram channel.
Additional Information: To stay up to date with all the news and details about the CARISMÁTICA Hackathon, participants are invited to join the event’s official Telegram channel: https://t.me/CarismaticaMoonbeam2024.
The CHARISMATIC Hackathon represents a unique opportunity for students to put their theoretical knowledge into practice, explore new frontiers in the field of cybersecurity and blockchain, and contribute to technological innovation. Don’t miss this exciting and learning experience!
5th May 2024
The CARISMÁTICA Chair collaborates with HackUPC in its tenth edition, supporting the event and funding an ambulance
Spain’s largest hackathon brought together 750 hackers from May 3rd to 5th, 2024
HackUPC celebrated its tenth edition from May 3rd to 5th, 2024, with 750 hackers participating in an intense 36-hour competition to develop innovative solutions in various technological fields. This event, the first student-organized hackathon in Spain, offers a space where participants from all over the world, regardless of experience level, can enhance and learn new skills, meet amazing people, and have an extraordinary experience.
This year, the CARISMÁTICA Chair actively collaborated with HackUPC, promoting the event within the academic community and funding the cost of an ambulance, an essential resource to ensure safety at such a large-scale event.
HackUPC continues to establish itself as a key platform for technological innovation, and CARISMÁTICA’s involvement reinforces its commitment to fostering young talent and promoting new technologies, particularly in the field of cybersecurity.
26th April 2024
CyberBlock, Cybersecurity and Blockchain debate that sweeps the seva first edition
CyberBlock, financiado por la Cátedra CARISMATICA de la UPC, reúne a expertos en blockchain y ciberseguridad para debatir su aplicación en el entorno sanitario
On April 24, the CyberBlock event was held at the North Campus of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), a debate forum that attracted 50 attendees interested in exploring the applications of blockchain technology in cybersecurity, with a particular focus on the healthcare sector.
The event was possible thanks to the financing granted by the CARISMATICA Chair of the UPC, granted by the National Institute of Cybersecurity (INCIBE), which reflects the commitment of both institutions to the promotion of research and innovation in the field of cybersecurity .
The day began with a warm welcome from the organizers, where the CARISMATICA Chair project was presented and its objectives were explained, as well as the upcoming events planned within the framework of this initiative. Participants positively valued this introduction, which provided a relevant context for the development of the event.
Subsequently, a series of presentations and debates followed that addressed various innovative solutions that combine blockchain and cybersecurity to face specific challenges in the field of health. Among the use cases presented, the following stood out:
- Decentralized medical data management: The possibility of using blockchain to create a secure and transparent electronic medical records management system was discussed.
- Medicine traceability: Blockchain-based solutions were explored to trace the origin and distribution of medicines, with the aim of preventing counterfeiting and ensuring the authenticity of pharmaceutical products.
- Medical supply management: The application of smart contracts in the supply chain of medical equipment was discussed, streamlining the acquisition and distribution processes.
To round off the day, participants enjoyed a networking dinner, where they were able to exchange ideas and establish professional contacts in a relaxed atmosphere. The event was received with enthusiasm by attendees, who expressed their desire for CyberBlock to become an annual event, consolidating itself as an essential meeting point for professionals interested in the intersection between blockchain, cybersecurity and health.
In addition to the quality of the presentations and the environment conducive to networking, the excellence of the catering offered during the event stood out, which contributed to a satisfactory experience for all those present.
In conclusion, it was proposed to open the next editions of CyberBlock to an even broader audience, with the aim of promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences between a diverse spectrum of professionals interested in the potential of blockchain technology in cybersecurity and the healthcare sector. .
22nd March 2024
Activities planned in April 2024
The month of April is packed with new cybersecurity awareness activities in various formats: debate forums, conferences, etc. In total, four major events aimed at different audiences, but with a common goal of promoting cybersecurity in healthcare environments.
6th March 2024
HACK THE FILM – The new cinema cycle of the CARISMATICA chair
On March 6th, a new monthly activity was launched within the project called HACK THE FILM. The aim is to screen a movie related to the cybersecurity environment and then facilitate a debate forum on various topics.
On March 6th, an exciting new monthly activity kicked off within the project: HACK THE FILM. This initiative, driven by the CARISMATIC Chair, aims to merge the world of cinema with the captivating universe of cybersecurity.
In each edition of HACK THE FILM, attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a carefully selected film that addresses relevant topics related to computer security. Following the screening, a debate space will be opened where participants can analyze the concepts presented on the screen and share their viewpoints.
The activity will take place once a month, featuring a different film on each occasion. Best of all, HACK THE FILM is completely free, requiring no prior registration. Additionally, to make the experience even more enjoyable, salty, sweet, or butter popcorn, along with water, will be provided.
The meeting point will be the Telensenyament Room in Building B3 at the UPC’s Campus Nord. Screenings are generally scheduled on Tuesdays or Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, making it easy for everyone interested to attend.
The first two films that are part of HACK THE FILM are truly unmissable. The first, HACKERS, offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of computer hackers and was screened on the same day as the activity presentation, March 6th. The next film on the list is UNDERGROUND: The Julian Assange Story, a movie that promises to shed light on one of the most controversial figures in the digital world. This will be screened on April 3rd, inviting attendees to delve even deeper into the complexities of the cybersecurity universe.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this exciting experience that combines cinematic entertainment with the analysis of fundamental themes in the digital era. We look forward to seeing you at HACK THE FILM!
6th February 2024
Crypto Seminars within the CHARISMATICA Chair
Crypto Seminars at UPC attract more than 60 attendees per day
Recently, the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) hosted the highly anticipated Crypto Seminar Days, a two-day event dedicated to cryptography. Sponsored by the UPC Charismatic Chair of Cybersecurity, awarded by INCIBE, the seminars brought together experts and enthusiasts to delve into the latest advances and discussions in the field.
Held on February 1 and 2, 2024 at the UPC North Campus in Barcelona, the event featured an outstanding list of speakers from globally recognized institutions. The plenary sessions were led by distinguished figures such as Eduardo Soria-Vázquez of the Technological Innovation Institute, Markulf Kohlweiss of the University of Edinburgh and Ronald Cramer of the CWI and Leiden University.
The event agenda included a wide range of topics, from functional commitments for circuits to zero-knowledge protocols in the blockchain era. Parallel sessions allowed attendees to explore open problems and hot topics in areas such as multi-party computing (MPC), zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs, pairings, and blockchain technologies.
One of the highlights was Markulf Kohlweiss’ Guest Talk on “Abuse-Resistant Privacy for Privacy by Design Systems”, which captivated the audience with his ideas on privacy protection mechanisms. Additionally, Eduardo Soria-Vázquez’s presentation on “HELIOPOLIS: Verifiable Computation on Homomorphically Encrypted Data” offered valuable insights into practical applications of cryptographic techniques.
With over 60 registrations per day, Crypto Seminar Days proved to be a resounding success, attracting a diverse audience eager to participate in the crypto discourse. Attendees praised the quality of the presentations and the opportunity to network with colleagues and experts in the field.
The event was not only intellectually stimulating but also a pleasure for the palate, as attendees enjoyed meticulously organized catering services throughout the duration of the seminars.
For a look at the atmosphere of the event and some of the featured presentations, check out the attached images.
https://cryptoseminars.wordpress.com/2024/01/11/crypto-seminars-days-upc/
8th January 2024
The UPC will promote cybersecurity in the healthcare field with a new Chair from INCIBE
Protecting the healthcare system from cyber attacks by promoting a cybersecurity culture, enhancing professionals’ training in this field, and opening up new lines of research. These are the objectives of the new CARISMATICA Chair, a project led by researchers from the Telematics Engineering and Mathematics departments of the UPC, which has received funding from the National Cybersecurity Institute of Spain (INCIBE).
Cyberattacks perpetrated by malicious programs have increased by 2.5 times in 2022. The interruption—even if temporary—of electronic systems in healthcare centers, such as appointment management or access to electronic medical records, has consequences for medical care. They can also paralyze entire systems for days, jeopardizing patients’ health. It’s not just about ensuring healthcare but also preventing data leaks or manipulations. Medical records contain highly sensitive information such as medical histories, diagnoses, or test results. Ensuring the integrity and availability of IT and communication systems in healthcare environments is crucial because the care of the entire population depends directly on their proper functioning.
Providing appropriate cybersecurity tools to healthcare centers is crucial and should be a priority for all involved administrations, both at the national and regional levels. This is the approach underlying the new CARISMATICA Chair, granted by the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia – BarcelonaTech (UPC), within the framework of the Cybersecurity Chairs program in Spain, as part of the Global Innovation Program in Security. The Chair, coordinated by the Information Security Group – Mathematics Applied to Cryptography (ISG-MAK) research group at the UPC, comprising researchers from the Telematics Engineering and Mathematics departments, has a quadruple objective: raising awareness, educating, innovating, and collaborating in the field of cybersecurity in healthcare.
Raising awareness and educating in cybersecurity:
One of the Chair’s objectives will be to inform all stakeholders in the healthcare supply chain (patients, healthcare personnel, administrative staff, supplier companies, etc.) about the importance of cybersecurity, potential threats, and the consequences of an attack. Knowledge and resources will also be provided for these actors to adopt good cybersecurity practices. To this end, content will be generated to improve cybersecurity culture, tailored to different target audiences. Just as the healthcare sector promoted minimal sanitary hygiene measures during the pandemic (mask-wearing, social distancing, hand hygiene), the CARISMATICA Chair aims to educate the population to follow minimal security measures to increase the protection level of data and medical infrastructures. Future cybersecurity professionals will also be targeted by proposing new subjects in UPC’s study plans or designing continuous training programs. Additionally, the participation of prestigious teachers in this field in UPC’s study plans, a travel grant for doctoral students, or awards for the best final projects or doctoral theses in cybersecurity will be promoted.
Research and innovation, key axes of the initiative:
Within the framework of the CARISMATICA Chair, innovative techniques will also be developed to ensure the provision of healthcare services, protect confidential information, and maintain the integrity of critical systems and infrastructures. In this line, two lines of research will be opened by the Chair: one focused on blockchain technology and zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP), as key tools to guarantee security in the sharing of healthcare data, and a second aimed at reinforcing the traceable exchange of medical data, crucial for ensuring the privacy and security of patient information. Through the Chair, the incorporation of cybersecurity as an integral part of the internal organization of the healthcare system will also be encouraged, promoting shared responsibility and active participation of all stakeholders—health professionals, system administrators, and ICT service providers—to share knowledge, resources, and best practices in cybersecurity. The project involves the participation of the Catalonia Cybersecurity Agency (ACC), the i2CAT Foundation, the Mataró TecnoCampus, an affiliate center of Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), and the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). The Chair’s activities have begun this January, with the project’s launch, and are scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2025. The project has a budget of €1.26 million, with INCIBE contributing 74%, and is carried out within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan funds, funded by the European Union (Next Generation), the Spanish Government’s project outlining the roadmap for the modernization of the Spanish economy, recovery of economic growth, and job creation, for a solid, inclusive, and resilient economic reconstruction after the COVID-19 crisis, and to address the challenges of the next decade.
Contact
- +34 934015801
- catedra.carismatica@upc.edu
*This initiative is carried out within the framework of funds from the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, financed by the European Union (Next Generation), the project of the Government of Spain that outlines the roadmap for the modernization of the Spanish economy, the recovery of economic growth, and job creation, for the solid, inclusive, and resilient economic reconstruction after the COVID-19 crisis, and to address the challenges of the next decade.
14 Junio 2024
Nuevas charlas sobre tecnología blockchain para cerrar el primer curso de la Cátedra CARISMÀTICA
Charlas sobre innovación en tecnología blockchain y sus aplicaciones
La Cátedra CARISMÀTICA de la Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC), en colaboración con el Instituto Nacional de Ciberseguridad (INCIBE), está orgullosa de anunciar la ampliación de su ciclo de charlas con tres nuevas conferencias. Estas sesiones adicionales se centran en la tecnología blockchain y sus aplicaciones, ofreciendo una visión profunda sobre este campo emergente.
Nuevas charlas
Seminario sobre proyectos e investigación en tecnología blockchain
Este seminario introduce un nuevo campo de investigación de tecnologías y aplicaciones descentralizadas, especialmente relevante para científicos, investigadores y expertos en ingeniería y finanzas. El objetivo principal es proporcionar una visión general y comprensiva de los conceptos generales de las tecnologías y aplicaciones descentralizadas y su uso en IoT, industria y finanzas.
Resultados de aprendizaje específicos del seminario:
Comprensión de los fundamentos de las tecnologías y aplicaciones descentralizadas.
Conocimiento y comprensión del diseño arquitectónico de aplicaciones descentralizadas.
Entendimiento de las limitaciones de ciberseguridad y escalabilidad.
Además, se presentará una visión general de los proyectos relacionados con blockchain desarrollados en los últimos meses por el grupo ISG-MAK, discutiendo los objetivos, las metodologías empleadas y los resultados alcanzados.
Uno de los focos principales de CARISMÀTICA es el estudio de la tecnología blockchain para la detección y mitigación de ataques de ciberseguridad en redes de salud. Estas charlas proporcionan una introducción para entender los problemas y el trabajo en curso en este campo.
Detalles de las charlas
Tecnología y aplicaciones descentralizadas (conferencia en inglés)
Fecha y hora: 12 de junio, de 16:00 a 17:30
Ubicación: Seminario de Telemática, Edificio C3, 3ª planta
Ponente invitado: Matevž Pustišek, profesor asistente en la Facultad de Ingeniería Eléctrica de la Universidad de Ljubljana, especializado en arquitecturas de IoT, aspectos de seguridad y uso de tecnologías blockchain en IoT.
Trazabilidad en blockchain para promover la Economía Circular y otros proyectos blockchain del grupo
Fecha y hora: 14 de junio, de 12:00 a 13:30
Ubicación: Seminario de Telemática, Edificio C3, 3ª planta
Ponente: Carla Brugulat Rica, máster en Gestión de Proyectos Tecnológicos y Administración de Empresas, y graduada en Ingeniería de Telecomunicaciones por la ETSETB – UPC. Actualmente, finalizando un Máster en Tecnología Blockchain de la UPC School.
Pruebas de conocimiento cero y su aplicación en la escalabilidad de blockchain
Fecha y hora: 18 de junio, de 16:00 a 17:30
Ubicación: En línea
Ponente: Marc Guzmán, graduado en Matemáticas por la Universidad de Barcelona (UB) y máster en Matemáticas Avanzadas por la UB. Actualmente, realizando un doctorado en Ingeniería Telemática en la UPC, con una tesis centrada en la criptografía, especialmente en cálculo verificable y pruebas de conocimiento cero.
Estas charlas cerrarán un año académico lleno de éxitos para la Cátedra CARISMÀTICA, proporcionando una plataforma para discutir los desafíos y avances en la tecnología blockchain. Invitamos a todos los interesados a unirse a estas sesiones informativas y enriquecedoras.