Franco Maciariello

The 17th International Conference on Ubiquitous and Future Networks (ICUFN 2026), scheduled to take place in Milan from July 7 to 10, 2026, at the Bovisa Campus of Politecnico di Milano, represents one of the most significant international scientific events in the fields of next-generation networks, advanced telecommunications, and artificial intelligence applied to the digital systems of the future.

Organized by the Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences (KICS), the conference has established itself over the years as a global reference point for researchers, academics, industry professionals, and policymakers engaged in the development of technologies that are redefining the way people, organizations, and infrastructures interact within increasingly connected, intelligent, and distributed ecosystems.

The 2026 edition takes place at a time of profound technological acceleration. The widespread adoption of B5G and 6G networks, the expansion of the Internet of Things, the rise of Edge Intelligence, and the integration of artificial intelligence into communication systems are radically transforming the global digital landscape. In this context, ICUFN serves as an international platform for scientific exchange, fostering dialogue across disciplines and promoting collaboration among universities, research centers, companies, and institutions.

The conference addresses cutting-edge topics ranging from the application of AI and Machine Learning to telecommunications and networking, to emerging technologies for cloud and fog computing, virtualized networks, Open RAN, satellite communications, and distributed architectures. Particular attention is also devoted to innovative applications in digital healthcare, smart cities, intelligent infrastructures, cyber-physical systems, digital twins, and the metaverse, confirming the central role of ubiquitous networks as enabling infrastructures for contemporary digital transformation.

One of the distinguishing features of ICUFN 2026 is its ability to combine fundamental research with practical applications. In addition to the presentation of original scientific contributions, the program includes international keynote speeches, specialized tutorials, and workshops dedicated to emerging technological challenges, offering participants a unique opportunity to engage with the latest developments in research and industrial innovation. Accepted papers will be published in the official conference proceedings and included in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library, ensuring broad international visibility for the presented results.

Particularly significant is the presence of the thematic session Security, Military, and Defense, which reflects the growing strategic importance of digital technologies in the fields of national security, defense, and critical infrastructure protection. The objective of this session is to promote scientific discussion on advanced solutions for cybersecurity, secure communications, post-quantum cryptography, mission-critical network resilience, and the protection of digital systems intended for military and strategic environments. In an international context characterized by emerging hybrid threats and increasing dependence on digital infrastructures, this track represents a crucial forum for developing reliable, resilient, and secure technologies that support collective security and the operational continuity of essential infrastructures.

Paper Title

Secure and Resilient Cyber-Physical Supply Networks for Critical Infrastructure: A Design Framework for Military Mobility and Mission-Critical Operations

Research Objectives

The paper addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing contemporary critical infrastructures: ensuring the resilience and security of logistics networks in a context characterized by increasing digitalization, hybrid threats, and geopolitical instability. The study proposes an innovative framework for the design of secure and resilient cyber-physical supply networks capable of integrating physical infrastructures, communication systems, and decision-making mechanisms within a unified and coordinated architecture.

A central element of the research is the concept of Resident Value Chains (RVCs), territorially controlled configurations that reduce external dependencies, limit disruption propagation, and improve operational continuity in mission-critical environments. The framework also incorporates real-time monitoring capabilities, predictive disruption management, and data-driven coordination mechanisms, with particular attention to dual-use railway systems supporting both commercial freight transport and military mobility.

Results and Future Research Directions

The application of the framework to a railway-based case study demonstrates how the adoption of Resident Value Chains and network-aware coordination mechanisms can significantly improve the reliability, availability, and security of critical infrastructures. The results highlight an enhanced capacity to contain disruptions, reduced systemic vulnerability, and faster operational reconfiguration in the presence of adverse events simultaneously affecting both the physical and digital components of the network.

The study also emphasizes the strategic value of the proposed approach for European military mobility, contributing to greater operational autonomy, stronger protection of dual-use infrastructures, and the continuity of mission-critical logistics flows.

Future research activities will focus on the quantitative validation of the model through advanced simulations and digital twins, the integration of adaptive mechanisms based on artificial intelligence, and the further investigation of interoperability, governance, and coordination challenges among civilian and military stakeholders. These developments may contribute to the definition of new resilient architectures for the critical networks of the future, aligned with the evolution of 5G/6G technologies, cyber-physical systems, and international strategic security requirements.