Internship | Self-Healing for Cybersecurity - continuous data flow use case

Cyber-security technology has matured strongly in multiple areas of expertise, including cyber threat intelligence, monitoring & detection and automated response. However, attacking adversaries have also evolved by using stealth malware techniques and by automating their attacks. This cyber rat race consumes increasing defensive resources and raises the question how to break this vicious circle. A new perspective in this continuous battle is provided by self-healing for cyber security, a cyber-defense approach inspired by mechanisms of the immune system [SH4CS]. The SH4CS software, developed by TNO, paves the way towards (partially) decentralized and autonomous cyber-security.

The SH4CS software integrates containerization, monitoring and deployment tools into a platform of self-protecting and self-healing containers, i.e. within the cloud native landscape [CNCF]. SH4CS provides an inspiring starting point for a new perception on cyber defensive measures, with several intriguing directions for further research exploration and development. In this internship assignment, the existing SH4CS software will be tailored further towards a specific use-case. In particular, a use-case application will be designed and implemented to demonstrate a specific implementation of a continuous data processing model. This model will be based on a very simplified air traffic control data processing system, that consumes continuous input (e.g. radar and flight data), creates an integrated operational picture and presents that picture to an air traffic controller.
Your tasks will be to develop this use-case application which will be used for joint experimentation together with the SH4CS software in a team of self-healing experts from TNO. The TNO team consists of experts from CST (Cyber Security Technologies) department in the unit ISP (ICT, strategy and policy). You will be introduced into the self-healing research by TNO experts and you will participate in setting up SH4CS experiments with this use-case application.

What can you expect?
TNO is an independent research organisation whose expertise and research make an important contribution to the competitiveness of companies and organisations, to the economy and to the quality of society as a whole. The department of Cyber Security Technologies (CST) employs approximately 50 professionals who work on issues related to the security of IT networks, systems and smartphones to help our clients and associates take charge of their ICT security, detect fraud, review their architecture or develop a security design for new systems. The division is located at Eindhoven, The Hague and Groningen. In this internship, you will be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the relevant information and scope to get the best out of yourself. We provide suitable work placement compensation. Please note that for this vacancy it is required that a certificate of conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, VOG) is provided to TNO.

[CNCF] https://landscape.cncf.io

[SH4CS] (in Dutch) https://www.ictmagazine.nl/achter-het-nieuws/bio-geinspireerde-cybersecurity-een-digitaal-immuunsysteem/

This assignment can be tailored to the needs of HBO as well as University students. For this assignment it is expected that you:

• Are enthusiastic to contribute to state-of-the-art cyber security solutions and publish your results;
• Have a solid understanding of general cyber security concepts and automated security in particular;
• Have experience with software engineering: both analytic capability to scan and select the most relevant cloud native, Kubernetes related solutions, as well as programming (e.g. Python)
• Experience with the Kubernetes platform software and APIs will be very helpful.

You want to work on the precursor of your career; a work placement gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative working environment, with top experts as colleagues.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo- and hbo-students, 390 euro for mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Eight hours of leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet TNO-colleagues and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world. Read more about TNO as an employer.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity and inclusion.

After the first CV selection, the application process will be conducted by the concerning department. TNO will provide a suitable internship agreement. If you have any questions about this vacancy, you can contact the contact person mentioned below.

Important to be aware of before applying:

• Before the start of the internship, the internship agreement from TNO needs to be signed, by the intern, TNO and the educational institution. This agreement is established in cooperation with Universiteiten van Nederland according to the UNL-template. If you are not a student at a Dutch college or university, or if you are a mbo-student, the TNO internship agreement will apply. In that case, a ‘proof of educational institution’ and a ‘proof of internship as part of course’ is needed. TNO doesn’t sign other contracts.
• Furthermore, you have to be registered at an educational institution to be eligible to do a paid internship at TNO. If you are not studying at a university you are only eligible for a work experience internship (unpaid, maximum of 8 weeks).
• Interns at TNO must be in possession of a Dutch residential address at the start of the internship. It is not possible to work from abroad.