The Finnish Society for Computer Science aims to bring together everyone who practices computer science in Finland and others interested in the subject nationally and internationally. The theme of the 41 st annual doctoral symposium, organized by University of Vaasa, was "Digitalization of Critical Infrastructures".
Critical infrastructures comprise structures and services essential in the functioning of activities of society. Such structures are energy, water supply, and health care, for example. Digitalization means development of activities in the way they depend on information technologies. Digitalization of critical infrastructures strengthens activities, and it is possible to offer new services such as smart meters and Kanta-service. The other side of digitalization is the increase of vulnerabilities: Cyberattacks are targeted towards digital services and cyber-physical plants and components. If these attacks succeed the plants and systems may stall.
The keynote speakers raised vulnerabilities and opportunities of digital society. The event announced also the winners and runner-ups of the doctoral dissertation and master's thesis nominations for the theses of the year and organized thematic workshops for different sub-interest groups. The event was bi-lingual. Three of the keynote speeches were given in Finnish with slides that are in English.
At the doctoral symposium track, the open call for papers attracted 22 submissions, of which 14 were selected to be presented in the symposium and included in the proceedings (acceptance rate 63,6 %). The quality of the submissions was thoroughly good. In addition to Finland, submissions were received from researchers resided in Austria, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Sweden. Each submission got at least two reviews. As well, the program committee involved five international members in addition to the representatives of the Finnish universities. In case of conflicting reviews, a third experienced member of the program committee was asked to give an additional, third, review. Due to the international nature of several researchers resided in Finland and the international participants, the working language of the symposium and the proceedings was English. The symposium was well received, attracting ca. 50 active researchers on-site, majority of the presenting authors being doctoral students and junior researchers presenting their new research projects, concepts or publications towards their doctoral dissertation, or the work their research group is currently involved in. There is a clear benefit in this type of activity to the entire research community, and the society will most definitely continue this tradition to enhance interactions with Finnish and international communities of computer science researchers also in the coming years.