The ATHENE Artificial Intelligence Lab (AI Lab) is a central platform within the ATHENE network that specializes in promoting cutting-edge research in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. Here, innovative solutions are developed to ensure the security of AI technologies and identify potential attacks, including manipulation.

ATHENE research focuses on investigating the security of AI systems and developing domain-specific applications that strengthen cybersecurity through the use of AI. One example of our work is a project to detect deepfake technologies, in which we train advanced AI models on realistic data to verify the authenticity of digital content. The use of GPU clusters allows large data sets to be processed efficiently, optimizing the algorithms and increasing their accuracy in detecting manipulation. This research has the potential to significantly improve the integrity of information on social media and other platforms.

The ATHENE AI Lab offers a powerful infrastructure that enables researchers to perform demanding AI calculations and conduct independent security experiments without external restrictions. The infrastructure can be flexibly designed to accommodate new research approaches and ideas.

The ATHENE Biometrics Applications Lab (Bio App Lab) is a state-of-the-art research platform specializing in Next Generation Biometric Systems (NGBS). Our lab supports projects that deal with the collection of biometric characteristics, taking into account both interaction with operators and consumer protection. This close integration of technology and social relevance is a central aspect of the ATHENE mission.

At the ATHENE Bio App Lab, researchers have access to state-of-the-art technical equipment to, among other things, verify the quality requirements for photographs and fingerprints in the upcoming Entry-Exit System (EES). In addition, it ensures algorithmic fairness toward different demographic groups (age, gender, skin color), supported by predictive quality assessment methods. Compliance with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the provisions of the AI Act, is ensured through the use of template protection procedures and synthetic image data in the training of biometric algorithms.

The ATHENE Bio App Lab offers comprehensive technical equipment that is essential for carrying out these demanding analyses. These resources are not only available to researchers for their specific projects, but also promote collaborative research within ATHENE. In addition, it is possible to use this equipment for teaching and training purposes.

With the ATHENE Bio App Lab, ATHENE has created a dynamic environment that enables researchers to work at the forefront of biometric technologies. Here, they actively contribute to the development of secure, fair, and transparent systems that meet the challenges of modern society.

The ATHENE High Assurance Lab (HA Lab) is a central point of contact within the ATHENE network that specializes in conducting research and development projects with the highest security requirements. In a time of rapidly changing geopolitical conditions, there is a growing need for highly sensitive research, particularly in the field of information technology for government agencies, security authorities, and critical infrastructures.

Our work focuses on the development and implementation of security-related technologies that meet the most stringent security regulations. One example of the expertise of ATHENE's researchers is the support they provide to public institutions in developing competencies that are crucial to national security. Thanks to our comprehensive internal infrastructure, we are able to efficiently conduct security-related experiments, thus making a valuable contribution to maintaining security and confidentiality in research.

The ATHENE HA Lab offers a powerful and ready-to-use infrastructure that can be flexibly adapted to new research approaches. This flexibility enables the timely implementation of innovative ideas and the efficient realization of projects in collaboration with ATHENE partners.

The ATHENE Internet Security Lab (AIS Lab) serves as a central research platform dedicated to sustainably strengthening the security of the Internet infrastructure. In light of the increasing threats to global communication and the complex challenges affecting the core infrastructures of the Internet, this development is more urgent than ever.

The ATHENE AIS Lab offers an exclusive infrastructure for conducting research and development projects focused on analyzing and improving the security of Internet backbone protocols and mechanisms. The lab's wide range of technical equipment, which can be flexibly expanded, enables researchers to perform in-depth security analyses of the Internet technologies, standards, products, and services used. This also includes thorough verification of the configurations and processes of network components used in the operational running of the Internet.

In addition, the ATHENE AIS Lab supports security reviews of organizations operating at the interface between the public Internet and network and IT infrastructures. In recent years, the ATHENE AIS Lab has implemented numerous significant projects within the ATHENE research area Analytics Based Cyber­security (ABC). These projects provided crucial insights and gained worldwide recognition as valuable contributions to improving Internet security. Particularly noteworthy is our successful research into the security of backbone infrastructures, including the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), the Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI), and the Domain Name System (DNS) as well as its security extensions (DNSSEC).

The ATHENE AIS Lab is currently being migrated to Goethe University Frankfurt in order to provide an optimal infrastructure for security-related research. Through the availability of this specialized equipment and the opportunity to pursue innovative research approaches, the ATHENE AIS Lab is making a significant contribution to improving the security of the Internet - the largest global communications infrastructure.

The ATHENE Physical Security Lab (PhySec Lab) represents a state-of-the-art research infrastructure specializing in the evaluation and optimization of the physical security of critical systems. Given the current increase in threats from physical attacks and manipulation, the ATHENE PhySec Lab offers a comprehensive platform for security analysis and testing.

At the ATHENE PhySec Lab, researchers can apply a variety of advanced techniques to assess the physical security of systems. These include vulnerability testing, penetration testing, and forensic analysis. A notable example of our work is the application of side-channel analysis, which examines the physical properties of systems to detect potential attacks. This method allows us to gain deeper insights into the vulnerability of systems and develop preventive measures.

The technical equipment at the ATHENE PhySec Lab is first-class and provides the necessary infrastructure for carrying out these demanding analyses. This includes specialized hardware and software such as high-speed oscilloscopes, electromagnetic probes, and laser fault injection systems (LSI), which enable researchers to precisely investigate the effects of physical attacks on electronic systems.

A key advantage of the ATHENE PhySec Lab is the immediate availability of the infrastructure, which ensures that tests and analyses can be carried out quickly. The lab promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and enables researchers to deepen their knowledge in a cooperative environment.

The ATHENE PhySec Lab plays a central role in many projects and research areas within ATHENE and makes a significant contribution to the overall mission. Close collaboration between researchers generates valuable insights that both improve physical security standards and drive the development of new tools and techniques.

In addition, the lab offers comprehensive training programs, workshops, and practical experience for students and professionals in the field of physical security.

The ATHENE Software and System Security Lab (SaSS Lab) serves as a collaborative infrastructure for vulnerability analysis and forensic investigations, which are of great importance for the security of software-based systems. With its extensive and modern technical equipment, the ATHENE SaSS Lab supports the identification and elimination of security vulnerabilities in software before they can be exploited by attackers.

The pooling of proven security analysis resources enables researchers to perform effective and efficient analyses. The ATHENE SaSS Lab offers a wide range of technical equipment, including hardware, software, and data collections, with the possibility of further expansion. In addition, options for remote access to stationary components and the loan of non-stationary components are available, allowing research teams to work flexibly.

A key advantage of the ATHENE SaSS Lab is the immediate availability of the infrastructure, which enables analyses to be carried out quickly. Researchers have access to specialized tools for performing penetration tests, vulnerability scanning, and forensic analyses, which require a variety of approaches and techniques. These analyses can be applied to different objects such as source code, machine code, and various applications, enabling the complex challenges of software analysis to be overcome.

The ATHENE SaSS Lab plays a central role in numerous ATHENE projects and research areas, thus contributing significantly to the overall mission. Through close collaboration between scientists within the lab, valuable insights are gained that contribute both to the investigation of cyberattacks and to improving the security of widely used products.

The ATHENE Usable Security and Privacy Lab (USP Lab) is a central research infrastructure that focuses on the applicability and practicality of new technologies in the context of security and data protection. It supports numerous ATHENE projects that actively involve the respective user group and focus on their needs.

The ATHENE USP Lab uses various methods of user research, UX research, and usability testing to promote human-centered approaches and transparency-enhancing technologies (TETs). The increasing demand for a specialized usability lab within ATHENE is reflected in the comprehensive technical equipment required for the analysis and improvement of human-technology interaction.

The cross-project use of these components promotes cooperative research within ATHENE and also supports teaching and training activities.

The ATHENE USP Lab contributes to the scientific community through knowledge transfer in at least five events per year and the publication of no fewer than five papers annually. In addition, at least ten bachelor's and master's theses are completed each year, as well as citizen participation events based on the lab's resources.

Overall, the ATHENE USP Lab is a key resource for improving the user-friendliness and security of new technologies, thereby making a significant contribution to research in the field of usable security and privacy.