Cooperation with Fraunhofer to be expanded

The topic of IT security and cybercrime is increasingly becoming the focus of public attention. However, this is not the only reason why the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is once again cooperating with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is working together with the Applied Systems Technology (AST) branch of the Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation (IOSB) on solutions to improve IT security.

The "KRITIS - Cybersecurity Learning Lab" project aims to ensure greater security in critical infrastructures (energy and water). To this end, research is being carried out in modern laboratories on components used in practice in order to identify potential risks, uncover vulnerabilities and eliminate them. In addition, a customer-specific qualification program is being developed, which creates important prerequisites for safe energy and water supply systems.

In the comprehensive training program, various target groups (from users and system planners to managers) are to be made aware of the topic of IT security and shown practical options for action so that they can apply these directly in their own environment. This will pave the way for an ever-increasing penetration of critical infrastructures with digital technologies while at the same time guaranteeing the highest level of security.

In the Fraunhofer University of Applied Sciences Laboratory Network, the project is being implemented at the Görlitz site by the team of the newly formed Fraunhofer Group, which began its work at the beginning of December under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Jörg Lässig. The project also builds on the HSZG's many years of expertise in the context of IT security, namely in the field of work of Prof. Dr. Marietta Spangenberg, as well as in the context of critical infrastructures in a variety of ways, in close cooperation with the AST at the Ilmenau site. Other Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft sites and the Fraunhofer Academy are also involved in the initiative. 

The project is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with EUR 1 million per year until the end of 2018. Federal Minister Prof. Dr. Wanka will be present at the opening event on January 11, 2017 at the university location in Görlitz. The President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Prof.Dr.-Ing. habil. Reimund Neugebauer, Member of the Bundestag Michael Kretschmer and numerous other guests are also expected to attend.