Security, resilience and interoperability perspectives on digital twin ecosystems

This study examines security, resilience and interoperability challenges related to the development of next-generation Digital Twin (DT) ecosystems (interconnected DTs spanning stakeholders, systems, and contexts), with a focus on Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) domains. Although DTs enable real-time modelling, simulation, and decision-making, their value is often limited by fragmented stakeholder expectations, inconsistent interpretations of core attributes, and sector-specific implementations. An ecosystem perspective is increasingly necessary as CNI DTs are deployed across sectors, creating cross-boundary security, resilience, and interoperability risks. Based on expert interviews, this study provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, industry, and researchers to support secure, adaptable, and interoperable DT ecosystems aligned with organisational and societal needs.