To drive the development of innovative projects with a positive social impact, the BELLA II project, led by RedCLARA and co-funded by the European Union, has launched two operational testbeds with blockchain and High-Performance Computing (HPC) technologies. Additionally, a third testbed focused on cybersecurity is under development.
These testbeds are advanced technological environments developed in close collaboration with LACNET, the region’s licensed public blockchain network; SCALAC, the Advanced Computing Network for Latin America and the Caribbean; Ciberlac, the Excellence Network in Cybersecurity for Latin America and the Caribbean; and the University of the Republic (Udelar) in Uruguay.
These environments mark a milestone in technological experimentation and innovation in the region. For the first time, they allow the testing and development of projects requiring these specialized technologies at lower costs, with shared resources, and in a highly secure environment.
The testbeds offer complex computational tools and new technologies or faithfully replicate real-world operational conditions, providing researchers and developers with an ideal platform to gain insights, identify issues, and test solutions. This approach ensures precise evaluation of performance and effectiveness before implementation in production environments, resulting in more efficient and secure development.
Each testbed has unique features. Based on LACNET-managed infrastructure, the blockchain testbed enables the development and validation of decentralized solutions, facilitating application experimentation and optimizing investment through pre-implementation testing.
The HPC testbed provides access to SCALAC's advanced infrastructure, enabling complex simulations, large data analysis, and the development of advanced models. This will strengthen technological and research capabilities in the region and promote socio-economic development.
Soon, the cybersecurity testbed, based on the cyber range concept, will offer a secure environment for simulating attacks, testing technologies, and improving defenses against cyber threats, enhancing regional resilience and fostering collaboration.
The BELLA II project aims to bridge the digital divide and strengthen the regional digital ecosystem. It facilitates relationships between researchers, scientists, and other sectors to develop solutions to regional challenges.
The project funds and supports the creation of testbeds in key areas as part of its activities to create specialized environments where researchers and developers can test and validate new technologies in controlled conditions, ensuring their effectiveness before large-scale implementation. As a result, the BELLA II Program contributes to advancing technological infrastructure and socio-economic development in the region, solidifying its role as a critical facilitator of innovation and technological excellence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Learn more and contact us about testbed usage through the portal: https://bella-programme.eu/en/results/testbeds
