UCD leads €8M Shield-6G project for AI-native network security

The shift toward 6G represents more than an incremental speed upgrade; it is the designed connective tissue for edge compute, autonomous systems, and critical national infrastructure. By embedding AI-native security at the architectural level, the EU aims to prevent the fragmented, reactive security models that characterized previous mobile generations. For the streaming industry, this foundational resilience is critical for maintaining high-bitrate delivery across volatile edge environments and securing decentralized cloud-to-device workflows. Watch for the output of these security guidelines to inform upcoming ETSI standards for 6G network interfaces by late 2026.

The Shield-6G initiative aligns with a broader push by European regulators and standards bodies to define 'secure-by-design' principles for future connectivity. In January 2026, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) published EN 304 223, a standard establishing a structured lifecycle approach to shielding AI systems from threats like data poisoning and model obfuscation. This move reinforces the EU's strategy of setting governance and safety assumptions for AI-native infrastructure before commercial systems exist, as highlighted by ETSI leadership in March 2026.

Industrial stakeholders are simultaneously accelerating their own 6G roadmaps to address the novel threat surface introduced by AI integration. Per Nokia (November 2025), 6G architecture must transition from static security policies to adaptive frameworks capable of securing digital twins and immersive experiences across multi-domain environments. This sentiment is echoed by the 6G Industry Association (6G-IA), which noted in late 2025 that the shift toward extreme decentralization requires verifiable security mechanisms that can operate across a continuum of cloud and edge resources.

Funding for these initiatives is part of a sustained investment via the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU). In October 2024, the SNS JU announced 16 winners for its third call for proposals, injecting an additional €127 million into 6G research and bringing the total EU investment under Horizon Europe to over €500 million. These projects, including ongoing efforts like SAFE-6G and 6G-BRICKS, are collectively developing the zero-trust frameworks and automated management tools that will underpin the commercial 6G revenue cycle projected to begin around 2030.