Cooperation with Fraunhofer to be expanded

The topic of IT security and cybercrime is increasingly coming into the public spotlight. But that is not the only reason why Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is once again collaborating with the Fraunhofer Society. The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is working together with the Applied Systems Engineering (AST) division of the Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technology, and Image Analysis (IOSB) on solutions to improve IT security.

The “KRITIS – Cybersecurity Learning Lab” project aims to ensure greater security in critical infrastructure (energy and water). To this end, research is being conducted in modern laboratories using components found in real-world applications to identify potential risks, uncover vulnerabilities, and eliminate them. In addition, a customer-specific training program is being developed that establishes key prerequisites for secure energy and water supply systems.

The comprehensive continuing education program is designed to raise awareness of IT security among various target groups (ranging from users  to system planners to  managers) and to demonstrate practical courses of actionso they can apply them directly in their own environments. This paves the way toward an ever-greater integration of digital technologies into critical infrastructures while simultaneously ensuring the highest possible level of security.

Within 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 in early December under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Jörg Lässig. The project also builds on the HSZG’s long-standing expertise in the field of IT security—specifically within Prof. Dr. Marietta Spangenberg’s research area—as well as in various ways within the context of critical infrastructure.expertise of the HSZG in the field of IT security—specifically in the research area led by Prof. Dr. Marietta Spangenberg—as well as in various ways in the context of critical infrastructure, with close cooperation here with the AST at the Ilmenau site. Other Fraunhofer Society locations as well as the Fraunhofer Academy are also participating in the initiative.

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with 1 million EUR annually through at least the end of 2018. Federal Minister Prof. Dr. Wanka will attend the opening ceremony on January 11, 2017, at the Görlitz campus. Also expected to attend are the President of the Fraunhofer Society, Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Reimund Neugebauer, Member of the Bundestag Michael Kretschmer, and numerous other guests.