HUSKI – Protected Critical Infrastructure Against Hybrid Threats

We develop data-based solutions that enable critical infrastructure operators to detect and counter hybrid threats in a timely manner.

Duration of the project

1.10.2025 – 30.9.2027

Source of funding

Business Finland Co-Research

Total funding

2 500 000 €

The HUSKI project is developing new solutions to identify and counter hybrid threats to critical infrastructure. The project combines secure data exchange, AI-based situational awareness and predictive approaches to better protect society’s critical services.

Hybrid threats undermine the stability of societies

Hybrid threats are actions by authoritarian state or non-state actors (e.g. organised terrorist organisations) aimed at systematically undermining the decision-making, stability and prosperity of democratic states. Hostile actions may include, for example, disinformation campaigns, targeted cyber-attacks and the promotion of social polarisation. As hybrid threat campaigns seek to challenge the functioning of society, critical infrastructure is a natural target. Solutions that focus on protecting critical infrastructure against hybrid threats are new on a European scale.

Key technologies include secure data sharing, data analytics, situational awareness and AI-based anomaly detection.

Mission and objectives of the HUSKI project

The project’s mission is to address the serious challenges posed by hybrid threats in order to ensure the stability of society and in particular of critical infrastructure.

The aim is to:

• identify and analyse hybrid threat campaigns against critical infrastructure,
• develop a secure and distributed data collection and sharing solution,
• build an AI-based anomaly detection service and early warning mechanisms,
• create policies and tools to prevent and minimise the impact of threats,
• establish an internationally networked Hybrid Threat Response Research Centre (HUB).

Read press release 15.8.2025: Turku University of Applied Sciences receives one million euros in funding to combat hybrid threats to critical infrastructure.

Broad and multidisciplinary approach

We are developing a comprehensive digital protection model that solves the complex hybrid node by breaking it down into four manageable steps:

The research in the project will cover a wide range of critical sectors of society, such as: clean water and wastewater, energy, transportation, digital infrastructure, public administration, economy, health, food, space, cyber and communications.

Commercial opportunities

The project will result in variety of technological and other type of solutions to enhance resilience to hybrid threats and help society as a whole to protect against hybrid threats – both in Finland and internationally.

Consortium of excellence

The project consortium represents strong Finnish expertise in combating hybrid threats. The project partners complement each other with their multidisciplinary expertise. Turku University of Applied Sciences is coordinating the overall project, conducting research on hybrid threats, including information interaction, developing digital infrastructure and a research centre for countermeasures. The University of Turku brings expertise in artificial intelligence, data analytics, intelligence and political history research. The University of Jyväskylä will focus on disinformation and the role of journalism in hybrid threats. Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences will be responsible for training environments, cyber-responses and the implementation of results together with other partners.

Together, the partners form a consortium capable of delivering internationally advanced solutions to protect critical infrastructure.