Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics FKIE
Digitalization and networking now permeate nearly every aspect of our lives and work. This has opened up enormous opportunities for companies, public institutions and our society as a whole. At the same time, it has given rise to new vulnerabilities and risks that are often exploited unscrupulously and have already resulted in considerable material and immaterial damage.
In this realm, the Fraunhofer FKIE deals with central questions related to the secure use of the cyber and information space. In this work, the institute is primarily concerned with technical aspects. In line with its holistic approach, however, it also addresses organizational and process-related issues. In the context of its research, it follows the threefold principles of »prevention – detection – action« and develops suitable tools and procedures to protect its own systems. Essential building blocks include technical analysis and investigation of perpetrator tools, the evaluation of the robustness (or vulnerability) of its own systems and the development of improved protection mechanisms beyond the solutions available on the market.
Since spring 2017, the Fraunhofer FKIE and the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences have been collaborating in the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's »Cyber Security Learning Laboratory« initiative to impart IT security skills to specialists and managers. The focus of the initiative is on the issues of »high security and emergency response«. In line with its strategic orientation, the Institute also cooperates extensively in the area of cyber security with security authorities, organizations and the Bundeswehr. In addition, the Fraunhofer FKIE has carried out various IT security projects in the fields of civil shipping and in the energy supply sector.
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft published a strategy and position paper entitled »Cyber Security 2020 – Challenges for IT Security Research,« summarizing the importance of IT security and the need for German cyber security research and development needs in this area.