Authors: Valentina Del Rio / PLURIBUS and Davy Preuveneers / KU Leuven
In this interview, Davy Preuveneers, industrial research manager at KU Leuven’s DistriNet research group, explores the impact of emerging technologies on cybersecurity and how KINAITICS is enhancing the security of cyber-physical systems. With a strong focus on AI, machine learning, and threat intelligence, KINAITICS develops advanced solutions for real-time threat detection and automated incident response while ensuring transparency and reliability. Preuveneers also discusses industry challenges, the importance of accessibility, and the responsible adoption of AI, offering valuable advice for young researchers and startups looking to innovate through European programs.
Can you briefly introduce your background and your work in computer science research?
I am an industrial research manager at KU Leuven, working within the DistriNet research group of the Department of Computer Science. My research interests are in the field of federated identity and access management, biometrics for frictionless continuous authentication, data analytics and machine learning for security and privacy, threat intelligence, and adversarial machine learning. DistriNet has built a strong international reputation in the field of cybersecurity, distributed systems and software engineering over the past decades. Our research focuses on the design, analysis and security of software-intensive systems, ensuring that security principles are embedded from the start. We engage in both basic research and applied projects, often in collaboration with industrial partners, government agencies and other research institutions. My role as an industrial research manager includes overseeing multiple projects, fostering collaborations and aligning our research with both academic developments and industrial needs. I also facilitate knowledge transfer between academia and industry so that the latest security research can be applied to real-world challenges.
How do you see the role of emerging technologies, such as AI and machine learning, in transforming industries today?
Emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), are restructuring several industries in profound ways. AI has introduced new paradigms for automation, efficiency and decision-making, allowing companies to operate with unprecedented levels of intelligence and agility. In the context of cybersecurity, AI-driven tools are increasingly being used to detect anomalies, identify threats and respond to cyber incidents more efficiently than traditional rule-based security systems. These capabilities are critical given the increasing complexity of digital environments and the sophistication of modern cyber threats.
Beyond cybersecurity, AI is also transforming industries such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing and transportation. In healthcare, AI-driven diagnostics and predictive analytics are improving patient outcomes, while in finance, AI models are improving fraud detection and risk assessment. Industrial automation also benefits from AI-driven predictive maintenance, which optimizes operational efficiency and reduces downtime. AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data, recognize patterns and make intelligent predictions is fundamentally changing the way businesses operate. However, as AI adoption increases, ensuring ethical use, transparency and security remains a critical challenge that researchers and industry leaders alike must address.
What potential do you think KINAITICS has in revolutionizing your field of expertise?
KINAITICS has the potential to revolutionize the cybersecurity landscape, particularly in the area of cyber-physical systems (CPS). These systems, which integrate computational and physical components, are increasingly common in critical infrastructure such as power grids, industrial control systems and transportation systems. However, their growing connectivity makes them highly vulnerable to cyber threats.
KINAITICS aims to bridge the gap between AI and cybersecurity by developing advanced AI-driven security solutions that can adapt to evolving threats in real-time. By using machine learning, automated threat detection and intelligent response mechanisms, KINAITICS strengthens the resilience of cyber-physical systems against attacks. What makes this project particularly groundbreaking is its focus on explainability and reliability-which ensures that AI-based security decisions can be understood and validated by human operators. This is critical for regulatory compliance and broader industry adoption. Additionally, KINAITICS promotes collaboration among researchers, industry stakeholders and policy makers to develop security practices and frameworks that can be widely adopted.
What are some of the biggest challenges in the industry that KINAITICS can help address with its approach?
One of the major challenges in cybersecurity today is the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of systems, making them more vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. KINAITICS aims to address this challenge by deploying AI for real-time monitoring and automated response to security threats. By using artificial intelligence, systems can be proactively monitored and attacks can be detected faster, significantly reducing the likelihood of successful attacks.
In addition, the project focuses on ensuring the explainability and reliability of AI-driven security, which is critical for regulatory compliance and broader industry adoption. Transparency in how AI decisions are made is essential to gain the trust of both businesses and consumers. This enables organizations to deploy AI technology responsibly and responsibly, while respecting ethical standards and legislation.
From your perspective as a researcher, what specific technological advancements in KINAITICS excite you the most?
I am particularly excited about the integration of AI with security monitoring and automated response mechanisms. KINAITICS is pioneering research in AI-driven threat intelligence, cyber-physical systems and explainable AI for cybersecurity.
Through these innovations, companies can not only improve their security, but also become more flexible and adaptive in dealing with the rapidly evolving cyber threats of the future. KINAITICS is thus making an important contribution to the development of the next generation of cybersecurity solutions that not only respond to threats, but also predict and proactively respond to them.
In terms of scalability, how can KINAITICS be applied to both large-scale enterprises and smaller tech startups?
Designed with scalability in mind, KINAITICS offers modular and adaptive security solutions that can be tailored to the varying needs of industries. Large enterprises can benefit from the comprehensive AI-driven security frameworks, while smaller technology startups can take advantage of lightweight and cost-effective solutions. The project also promotes open source components and collaborative research initiatives, making the innovations widely accessible to different industries. The modular design allows the security solutions to be easily adapted to the specific requirements of various companies, regardless of their size or sector. This ensures that both large and small organizations can benefit from the advanced technologies offered by KINAITICS without sacrificing performance or cost.
What role does user experience and accessibility play in KINAITICS’ approach to industry transformation?
User experience and accessibility are critical to the adoption of security technologies. KINAITICS emphasizes developing intuitive, user-friendly security tools that can be easily integrated into existing systems. By ensuring transparency and explainability in AI-driven security decisions, the project aims to build trust and confidence among users, from security professionals to industry stakeholders.
Looking ahead, how do you envision the future of the industry with the ongoing influence of technologies like KINAITICS?
I envision an industry in which AI-driven cybersecurity becomes the norm, seamlessly integrated into all aspects of digital and cyber-physical systems. As threats continue to evolve, AI will play a critical role in automating threat detection, response and prevention. KINAITICS is contributing to this vision by developing intelligent, adaptive security mechanisms that help organizations stay ahead of cyber threats in an increasingly interconnected world.
Can you tell us more about your research center and the work you do there?
DistriNet is a research group within KU Leuven’s Department of Computer Science that specializes in cybersecurity, software engineering and distributed systems. Our research covers a wide range of topics, including secure software development, privacy-enhancing technologies and AI-driven security solutions. We work closely with industry partners, government agencies and academic institutions to bridge the gap between research and practical applications, and ensure that our innovations have a tangible impact on society.
What advice would you give to young researchers or startups looking to innovate in the field of AI and computer science through the European programs?
I encourage young researchers and startups to actively participate in Horizon Europe and other European funding programs. These initiatives provide valuable opportunities for collaboration, funding and knowledge exchange. It is important to emphasize interdisciplinary research, as AI and cybersecurity increasingly converge with other fields. Building strong networks with academic and industry partners can accelerate innovation and ensure that research has practical applications. Finally, staying abreast of ethical and regulatory issues is essential to developing responsible and trustworthy AI solutions.