The Friendly Hackers team from Thales, a prominent figure in data protection and cybersecurity, emerged victorious in the CAID challenge organized by the French Ministry of Defence during the fifth edition of the European Cyber Week in France, held from November 21 to 23, 2023.
The primary objective of this unique challenge, the first of its kind sponsored by the French Ministry of Defense, was to evaluate the extent to which groups of cybercriminals could exploit inherent vulnerabilities in certain types of artificial intelligence.
Both the defense sector and private entities, including critical infrastructure companies, share common concerns regarding the protection of sensitive data and intellectual property, as well as the reliability of AI-generated outcomes for critical decision-making processes. They commend Thales for its efforts in enhancing AI safety and trustworthiness.
Senior Data Scientist Rodolphe LAMPE of Thales played a pivotal role in the Artificial Safety Challenge initiated by the French Ministry of Defense.
The CAID challenge tasks participants with:
- Identifying the images utilized for training and validation by an AI algorithm.
- Locating aircraft images used by AI algorithms for self-protection through “unlearning” techniques.
The Friendly Hackers team successfully uncovered crucial details about the training data and model quality by delving into the inner workings of the AI system, showcasing their expertise in deciphering AI mechanisms.
Thales has introduced the BattleBox strategy to combat AI threats effectively, safeguarding training data and models from potential breaches. The BattleBox framework comprises various components such as BattleBox Training, BattleBox IP, BattleBox Evade, and BattleBox Privacy, each offering unique security measures to mitigate risks associated with AI usage.
Thales emphasizes the importance of maintaining high levels of security to prevent data breaches and misuse in AI applications across civil and military domains. The company’s AI solutions are designed to be secure, explainable, and seamlessly integrated into critical systems, enhancing operational capabilities significantly.
Thales’ commitment to developing trusted AI solutions is underscored by its strategic pillars of authenticity, security, precision, and responsibility. The Group leverages the expertise of over 300 AI specialists and 4,500 cybersecurity professionals to address critical defense and security requirements effectively.
Thales’ relentless focus on innovation is evident through its substantial investments in research and development, particularly in cutting-edge fields like quantum technologies, 6G, and cybersecurity. With a global workforce of 77,000 employees across 68 countries, Thales continues to lead the way in digital identity & security, aeronautics and space, and defense and security technologies, contributing to a safer and more diverse world.
