First FP7 security projects announced
The European Commission has released details of the first security projects to be financed under the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The 24 research projects, which will share some €90 million between them, were selected from proposals submitted following the first call for proposals of the FP7-ICT theme in the area of 'secure, dependable and trusted infrastructures'. Research topics cover a wide range of ICT security technologies, including biometrics, cryptology, trusted computing, secure services and software engineering. A central issue for many of the new projects is the empowerment of end-users through proper handling of their digital identities and respecting their privacy when they interact in the digital world. Of the 24 projects, five are Integrated Projects (IPs), one is a Network of Excellence (NoE), whilst 14 are Focused Research Actions (STREPs) and four are Coordination Actions (CAs). The overall focus of the research is on developing the knowledge and technologies needed for building a trustworthy ubiquitous information society, based on a secure and resilient network and service infrastructures. Most of the projects started on 1 January 2008 and all will be operational within the next few months.