Finland: Securing artificial intelligence in the cloud

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly ubiquitous for automating processes in industries such as telecommunications and transport, cyber security concerns mount. To safeguard artificial intelligence models, Finnish company, Xiphera, is specialising in hardware-based security and cryptography innovations.

Xiphera tackled this challenge in the AINET- ANTILLAS Eureka project supported by the Eureka Cluster CELTIC-NEXT. The consortium of partners from Finland, France and Germany developed a proof-of-concept platform for securely executing artificial intelligence code and vector calculations deployed in public cloud networks. This platform, known as a confidential computing environment, enables isolated artificial intelligence models to run safely. Xiphera contributed its cryptography expertise to advance state-of-the-art network security, proving that cloud-deployed artificial intelligence workloads can be strongly protected.

Eureka gave Xiphera visibility, partners, and credibility that would have been impossible to achieve alone. The project proved confidential AI execution is feasible and positioned us on the European stage as a trusted security innovator.

Petri Jehkonen – Director of Strategic Programs at Xiphera

The work carried out during AI-NET-ANTILLAS was so “hot” from significant energy output that it triggered fire alarms at meetings in Paris, Helsinki and Kista. By the end of the project, no one in the consortium questioned the importance of embedding artificial intelligence security systems directly into products.

A major achievement was spreading the message that information security is not an add-on but must be integrated from the outset. The project delivered both technical and organisational impact in the form of a successful proof-of-concept and improved understanding of European security practices.

The Eureka project also facilitated partnerships, connecting Xiphera with small- and medium-sized enterprises, major European companies, research institutions and universities. Such relationships would have been challenging to establish independently. AINET- ANTILLAS proved to be a win-win for all partners, allowing Xiphera to participate in international events and increase its visibility amongst potential stakeholders and customers.

International collaboration through Eureka broadened Xiphera’s network and opened doors to critical European security discussions. The project influenced the company’s innovation culture by highlighting how new technologies are adopted and validated across industries. Support from Eureka and Business Finland gave Xiphera credibility far beyond Finland, showing that its expertise can compete alongside Europe’s largest enterprises.

The CELTIC-NEXT project significantly strengthened Xiphera’s strategic position in secure cloud services and reinforced its role as a trusted innovator in confidential artificial intelligence execution. The Finnish company hired a new employee and continues to build on long-term collaborations, earning recognition with the European Cyber Security Organisation’s STARtup Award in 2025.

Going forward, Xiphera aims to solidify its international position as a leading provider of hardware-based security, developing new encryption technologies, as well as secure artificial intelligence solutions. For industries deploying artificial intelligence models, this ensures a more secure future.