SKT, 사이버 보안 특화 AI 모델 개발 도전… 국가대표 AI 정예팀 뭉친 보안 올스타, 대한민국 지킬 방패 만든다

SK Telecom announced on the 27th that it will form a consortium with Upstage and nine leading domestic cybersecurity companies, including SK Shieldus and AhnLab, to develop an AI foundation model specialized in cybersecurity. The project, supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT, aims to create a model tailored to Korea’s cyber threat environment using real-world operational data from security operation centers (SOCs). The consortium will include participation from Korea University and Soongsil University for independent performance and safety validation. The goal is to reduce the burden on overstretched SOC analysts by automating threat detection and response processes. SK Telecom and Upstage, both of which passed the second-phase evaluation of the government’s independent AI foundation model project, will jointly develop the security-focused model based on their existing platforms, ‘A.X K’ and ‘Solar Open.’

The consortium brings together expertise from across the cybersecurity ecosystem, including network security, endpoint security, authentication, and threat intelligence. SK Shieldus, the top domestic cybersecurity firm by revenue, will contribute operational SOC data, while AhnLab will provide its proprietary threat intelligence infrastructure. Raon Secure, a FIDO Alliance member, will contribute authentication and AI security expertise, supported by its white-hat hacker team with international competition awards. The collaboration also includes nine additional firms such as E-Glue Corporation, Smart M2M, Aim Intelligence, Genians, and Piolink, covering diverse security domains.

Academic institutions and industry associations will play key roles in validation and workforce development. Korea University and Soongsil University will independently assess the model’s performance and safety, while the Korea Information Security Industry Association (KISIA), a statutory body representing 350 member companies, will oversee the dissemination of results and training programs for professionals. The project emphasizes a cyclical verification system, integrating development, field testing, evaluation, and iterative learning to ensure practical effectiveness. The consortium’s structure reflects a rare alignment of national cybersecurity priorities with commercial and academic capabilities.

SK Telecom, as the consortium leader, will oversee the project while leveraging its infrastructure and governance as the nation’s largest telecommunications provider. The company operates a 24/7 security monitoring system with 129 dedicated personnel under its CISO organization, supplemented by a 20-member Red Team for proactive vulnerability assessments. With a total of 149 security professionals including the CPO team, SK Telecom aims to build a trusted public cybersecurity AI infrastructure rooted in domestic expertise and real-world operational experience.