The following research groups conduct academic research primarily in cybersecurity and privacy:
Secure Systems Groups (Aalto University and University of Helsinki): The goal of the Secure Systems research group is to create new technologies and design and analysis methods for the development of secure computing and communication systems. The new technologies should be, at the same time, secure, easy to use, and inexpensive to deploy. Secure Systems group was funded by N. Asokan and Tuomas Aura in 2014. It is currently led at Aalto by Tuomas Aura, Lachlan Gunn, and Sanna Suoranta, and Valtteri Niemi at the University of Helsinki. For recent work done by N. Asokan and his students, visit the new SSG Research website on github.
The Ambient Intelligence research group (Aalto University) is working towards usable security solutions by integrating Pervasive Sensing into security protocols for smart objects. These technologies can provide spontaneous, implicitly secure interaction.
Cryptography research group (Aalto University) is interested in the foundations of cryptography and the application of principled theory to practical security problems such as software security. We enjoy diversity of thought and each of us has their own interests and a different background in addition to cryptography, e.g., complexity theory, verification, algebra and logics.
The Humans, Security and Privacy research group (Aalto University) conducts research on the human experience when interacting with technology, investigating questions surrounding human-centered security and privacy. The group uses interdisciplinary approaches to bridge the gap between humans and technology and address security and privacy challenges, leading to human-centred solutions.
Trustworthy & Adversarial Computing Lab (Aalto University) conducts multidisciplinary research at the intersection of machine learning, security and privacy. It takes a holistic approach in developing trustworthy intelligent systems.
VTT Safe and Connected Society research area aims to advance trust and resilience in digital societies by developing secure future mobile communication networks (5G/6G), trustworthy AI systems, and robust cybersecurity solutions. Our research spans cybersecurity assurance and testing, adversarial machine learning, post‑quantum cryptography, and privacy‑enhancing technologies.
Secure Systems annual Demo Days
Every year we organize a “Demo Day” together with the Secure Systems research groups at Aalto University and the University of Helsinki to showcase our work during the previous 12-month period. The event is intended to bring local academia and industry together and give them an overview of information security research going on in Finland’s capital area. The event is also an excellent opportunity for students and researchers to network and search for open positions within the local infosec industry and academia.
Secure Systems Demo Day 2026 will be organized on June 5, 2026.
Past events:
Secure Systems Demo days 2015-2023
HIIT research program
Prof. Valtteri Niemi directs the HAIC Research Program (previously known as BURST) at Helsinki Institute for Information Technology.