"Cyber security learning lab" starts in Görlitz

Greater security for critical infrastructure such as the power grid and water supply—that is the goal of the “Cybersecurity Learning Lab for Critical Infrastructure” as part of a nationwide cybersecurity continuing education program run by the Fraunhofer Society. In collaboration with the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, experts from the Fraunhofer Society are developing new methods and solutions for IT security. At the opening ceremony on January 11 , the Federal Minister of Education and Research, Prof. Wanka; Minister President Tillich; Fraunhofer President Prof. Neugebauer; Member of the Bundestag Michael Kretschmer; and many other guests were welcomed.

Cyberattacks on energy utilities or water treatment plants are among the worst-case scenarios facing our modern society. IT control systems, networking, and increasing automation make these highly complex facilities vulnerable to attacks or acts of sabotage by cybercriminals. Gas networks and sewage systems are also among the critical infrastructures at risk.

For this reason, the Fraunhofer Society, in collaboration with the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, has launched an ambitious joint initiative: the “Cybersecurity Learning Lab for Critical Infrastructure.” The learning lab officially opened on January 11, 2017. Here, researchers are investigating methods and techniques for the IT security of critical infrastructure while simultaneously developing components and software modules to protect these facilities. In the process, researchers simulate cyberattacks and search for vulnerabilities. The goal is the rapid detection and prevention of such attacks.

Training for Security Managers

But research and development are not the only items on the agenda for these security specialists: the expertise is also intended to be shared with companies and government agencies so it can be implemented quickly. The primary goal of the Cybersecurity Learning Lab is therefore a comprehensive continuing education program. This program raises awareness of cybersecurity among security officers, IT managers, and users at energy utilities, government agencies, and companies. At the same time, they can learn about and practice practical methods for defending against all types of hacker attacks.

The collaboration at the Görlitz site is led by Prof. Dr. Jörg Lässig from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. The newly established Fraunhofer group focused on IT security for critical infrastructure works closely with the Department of Applied Systems Engineering at the Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technology, and Image Analysis (IOSB).

The Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology (IDMT) is also involved. It supports continuing education with an interactive e-assessment system called askMe! This web-based platform analyzes and visualizes learners’ results, thereby enabling the assessment of course participants’ technical competence and learning progress.

Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research for Research

The collaboration is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). “Without IT security, digitization is of little use. That’s why we support learning labs like the one here in Görlitz in conveying the latest findings on cybersecurity. Close ties between science and practice are essential, particularly given the rapid pace of digital developments,” says Federal Minister of Research Prof. Dr. Johanna Wanka. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer Society, also emphasizes the current importance of the Cybersecurity Learning Lab in this context: “IT-based attacks on critical infrastructure are taking on new dimensions. With the learning lab in Görlitz, we are actively countering the shortage of IT specialists in the field of cybersecurity. Only with appropriately qualified personnel will companies be able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by digitalization.”

The learning lab in Görlitz is one of six cybersecurity learning labs that the Fraunhofer Society is currently opening at various locations in Germany. The primary goal of the initiative is to improve the training of specialists and managers in government agencies and companies while simultaneously addressing the severe shortage of skilled workers in the field of IT security. To avoid falling behind in the race against cybercriminals, technical and managerial staff must always stay one step ahead of them in terms of knowledge and skills. Through a modular, part-time continuing education program, Fraunhofer Institutes and universities of applied sciences incorporate the latest research findings into the continuing education offerings of the Cybersecurity Learning Lab. The courses are designed for working professionals and have a modular structure. Each participant selects a specific topic in which they acquire practical security expertise and gain comprehensive qualifications in state-of-the-art labs equipped with the latest IT infrastructure. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funds the Fraunhofer initiative—which encompasses all six Cybersecurity Learning Labs—with an annual grant of six million euros.

The Fraunhofer Academy, the continuing education arm of the Fraunhofer Society, is responsible for organizing and managing the Cybersecurity Learning Labs. Information on the continuing education programs can be found here.

Further information can be found here.