DAMAST conducts basic and applied research in the fields of discrete applied mathematics, algorithms, software security and testing.
The research activities of DAMAST combine these domains and span across – in particular – combinatorial design theory, the development of testing methodologies for complex systems and cyber security over to applied research consulting in innovative approaches.
DAMAST Group, which stands for the Discrete Applied Mathematics – Algorithms – Software – Testing Group, conducts basic and applied research in the fields of discrete applied mathematics, algorithms, software security, and testing. Our core mission is to bridge the gap between theoretical, mathematical foundations and practical applications, particularly within various testing scenarios.
Key basic research directions in DAMAST include:
Theoretical modeling of systems and interaction processes,
Development and optimization of testing methods and study of minimal test sets,
Application of testing strategies to identify errors, vulnerabilities, and inconsistencies in systems.
At the heart of DAMAST is the research of discrete and applied mathematics, with a strong emphasis on combinatorial design theory and combinatorial group testing, among other related fields. The developed methods are abstract and thus generic by nature, allowing for a wide range of applications.
We apply these methods across diverse domains, including:
Automated Software Testing: Enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of software testing processes through combinatorial testing.
Testing of Complex Systems: Addressing critical testing needs in areas such as disaster scenarios, experiments in botany, hardware testing, and large language model (LLM) testing.
Software Security Testing: Identifying vulnerabilities in web applications, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and testing against threats like SQL injections.
Testing in the Automotive Domain: For CAN bus testing and the virtual testing of automated driving functions.
Our applied research consulting services include, but are not limited to, combinatorial testing for improved software security. The impact of our past research and technology transfer includes collaborations with research and industrial organizations like Adobe (large-scale combinatorial testing for Adobe analytics), Siemens (combinatorial testing of protocols used in smart cities), NASA (modeling and testing NASA’s core flight system (CFS) software), and AVL GmbH (analysis of scenarios for virtual driving function testing).
As of July 1st, 2025, the DAMAST Research Group succeed the MATRIS Research Group at SBA.
The Discrete Applied Mathematics – Algorithms – Software – Testing Group participates in the following research projects:
Integrated software toolbox for secure IoT-to-Cloud computing
HORIZON Innovation Actions | EU - (together with Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation and UK Research and Innovation) |
October 2024 - September 2027
Intact will develop an Integrated Software Toolbox that will offer predictive Cybersecurity sensing, optimization and… Read More
Combinatorial Methods for consistency tests of large language models
Funding year 2024 / Project Call #19 | Internet Foundation Austria |
November 2024 - March 2025
Development of open source software for applying combinatorial methods for consistency tests of large language… Read More
DAMAST is formed by team members from diverse disciplines and expertise areas. We treasure the distinct approach our team members bring, as this factor helps us address different aspects and cover diverse issues, while we connect strongly through our passion for innovation, security, privacy, and contribution to a secure digital society:
The following scientific partners and company partners are / have been working closely together with the Discrete Applied Mathematics – Algorithms – Software – Testing Group:
Teaching
The integration of teaching within a research center at a university fosters an enriched research culture. The Discrete Applied Mathematics – Algorithms – Software – Testing Group is teaching at the TU Vienna at the level of master curricula the course Systems and Applications Security.
Bachelor | Master | PhD - Thesis Supervision
The DAMAST Research Group is supervising Bachelor, Master and PhD theses in the following areas.
Combinatorial Security Testing Topics
Covering Arrays, Algorithms and Optimization Topics
