"Cyber security learning lab" starts in Görlitz

More security for critical infrastructures such as power supply and water - that is the goal of the "Cyber Security for Critical Infrastructures Learning Lab " as part of a nationwide cyber security training program of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. In collaboration with the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, experts from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft are developing new processes and solutions for IT security. The Federal Minister of Education and Research Prof. Wanka, Minister President Tillich, Fraunhofer President Prof. Neugebauer and Member of the Bundestag Michael Kretschmer as well as many other guests were welcomed to the opening on January 11.

Cyberattacks on energy suppliers or waterworks are among the nightmare scenarios of our modern society. IT control, networking and increasing automation make these highly complex systems vulnerable to attacks or acts of sabotage by cyber criminals. Gas networks and wastewater pipes are also among the critical infrastructures at risk.

This is why the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences have launched an ambitious collaboration, the "Cyber Security Learning Lab for Critical Infrastructures". The learning lab was officially launched on January 11, 2017. Here, procedures and techniques for the IT security of critical infrastructures are researched and components and software modules for the protection of these systems are developed at the same time. The researchers simulate cyberattacks and search for vulnerabilities. The aim is to quickly detect and prevent such attacks.

Further training for security officers

However, research and development are not the only things on the security specialists' agenda: their expertise is also to be passed on to companies and authorities so that it can be implemented quickly. The main objective of the cyber security learning lab is therefore a comprehensive training program. Security officers, IT managers and users at energy suppliers, authorities and companies are sensitized to the topic of cyber security. At the same time, they can get to know and train practical procedures that can be used to fend off hacker attacks of all kinds.

The collaboration at the Görlitz site is headed by Prof. Dr. Jörg Lässig from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. The newly established Fraunhofer Group on IT Security for Critical Infrastructures works closely with the Applied Systems Engineering branch of the Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT is also involved. It is supporting the training with an interactive e-assessment system called askMe! This web-based platform analyses and visualizes the results of the learners and thus enables the evaluation of the professional competence and learning progress of course participants.

Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research

The collaboration is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research BMBF. "Digitalization is of little use without IT security. That's why we support learning labs like the one here in Görlitz in communicating the latest findings on cyber security. Short distances between science and practice are essential, especially given the highly dynamic nature of digital developments," says Federal Research Minister Prof. Dr. Johanna Wanka. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, also emphasizes the current importance of the cyber security learning lab on this topic: "IT-based attacks on critical infrastructures are taking on new dimensions. With the learning lab in Görlitz, we are actively counteracting the shortage of IT specialists in the field of cyber security. Companies can only take advantage of the opportunities offered by digitalization if they have suitably qualified personnel."

The learning lab in Görlitz is one of six cybersecurity learning labs that the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is currently opening at various locations in Germany. The main aim of the initiative is to improve the qualifications of specialists and managers in public authorities and companies and at the same time counteract the serious shortage of specialists in the field of IT security. In order not to fall behind in the race against cyber criminals, specialist and management personnel must always be one step ahead of them in terms of knowledge and skills. With a modular, in-service training concept, Fraunhofer Institutes and universities of applied sciences bring the latest findings from research into the training courses offered by the Cyber Security Learning Lab. The courses have a modular structure and are designed to be taken part-time. Each participant chooses a specific topic in which they acquire practical security know-how and gain comprehensive qualifications in high-quality laboratories with the latest IT infrastructure. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the Fraunhofer initiative, which comprises all six learning labs, with an annual sum of six million euros.

The organization and management of the cybersecurity learning labs is the responsibility of the Fraunhofer Academy, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's further education institution. Information on the further education program can be found here.

Further information can be found here.