By Jeannette Bylov, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: Lasse Møller Badstue 

SagaLabs is a startup founded by students and alumni from Aalborg University (AAU) – Christian Henriksen, Daniel Mogens McMillan, Emil Schmidth Nielsen, Jens Tinggaard and Kasper Hjortborg Kristiansen.

SagaLabs presented a new training system for realistic attack and defence scenarios in cybersecurity. This issue is highly topical after a week of uncertainty and unrest following the discovery of foreign drones in the airspace over Danish airports and other critical infrastructure.

Need for investments in cybersecurity

One of the points made to the minister was that there are far too few professionals in cybersecurity both in this country and in the rest of the world. Therefore, it is important to invest in more training and in developing systems for this purpose.

During the visit, the minister and the IDA president had the opportunity to test the training system by simulating a hacker attack. They were also given a demonstration of how to fend off an attack. 

Kasper Hjortborg Kristiansen, cofounder of the company, was satisfied after the meeting:

"We had a really good conversation about our visions for the future of cybersecurity training and the build up of a cyber reserve. For us, the meeting was about showing how cyber military personnel and companies like SagaLabs already play a role in Denmark's digital defence, and how we can take it to the next level together."

The technology developed by SagaLabs previously won the main prize of DKK 100,000 in Venture Cup Denmark's National Startup Competition.

Part of the AAU Startup programme

In establishing SagaLabs, the company was part of the AAU Startup programme where they received help with everything from office space to feedback. AAU Innovation was ready with a framework, mentorship and pitch training in addition to skills on obtaining funding. 

"It makes a noticeable difference to a young team that someone believes in you and creates an environment where you can develop. It has strengthened us in our meetings with investors, foundations, customers, partners, and has opened doors we couldn’t have on our own," says Kasper Hjortborg Kristiansen.

He and the rest of the team at Sagalabs see a huge potential in getting companies to train and test their preparedness in practice - not only the plans - but also the staff's ability to react under pressure. This will boost all of Denmark's digital resilience.

Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs