The close cooperation between the Bundeswehr Cyber and Information Space Command (KdoCIR) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics FKIE is based on a new foundation.
Major General Juergen Setzer, deputy inspector of the Cyber and Information Space Command, and Professor Dr. Peter Martini, director of the Fraunhofer FKIE, have now signed an agreement to collaborate even more closely in the field of cyber security.
KdoCIR and the Fraunhofer FKIE
Common national strategy can ensure a high level of cyber security in Germany in the future
With the ever-expanding threat of hacker attacks across all areas of society, it is quickly becoming evident that only a common national strategy can ensure a high level of cyber security in Germany in the future.
Against this backdrop, the signatories agreed that an intensive, regular exchange of experience and mutual shadowing programs would promote knowledge transfer from which the employees of both the KdoCIR and the Fraunhofer FKIE would benefit.
Securing the systems and networks
“The Bundeswehr and the FKIE are linked by long-standing cooperation and mutual trust. With its application-focused research, our institute is already making an important contribution to securing the systems and networks of the Bundeswehr. This collaboration agreement creates more opportunities to break new ground, especially in the area of cyber security,” explained Professor Martini at the signing ceremony.
In IT forensics, for example, joint exercises with mixed teams will be carried out aimed at identifying and analyzing current risk situations, threat scenarios, attack tools, and perpetrator groups.
Contribution to cyber security
We are taking a groundbreaking step to mitigate current security risks and counter future threats"
Major General Setzer sees the cooperation between the KdoCIR and the Fraunhofer FKIE as potentially offering significant added value. “Cyber security plays a central role in our increasingly digitalized world. Attacks on our extensive, networked Bundeswehr IT system occur daily and require a continuous hardening of our network, including network access."
"In these fields, the Fraunhofer Institute FKIE is a pace-setter for research in secure, virtual data environments and pathways. With our collaboration agreement, we are taking a groundbreaking step to mitigate current security risks and counter future threats.” Together, they could make an important contribution to cyber security in Germany, Setzer believes.
Training of IT security experts
Another issue currently occupying all of the key players in cyber security is the lack of skilled personnel. The tense market for skilled staff in the IT sector is also one of the decisive spheres of activity for the deputy inspector CIR.
“Based on our Cyber Community concept, we want to recruit external cyber experts for the Cyber Reserve and thus offer the ability to collaborate in various fields via an internet platform, for instance,” says Major General Setzer. Here, too, the Bundeswehr and the Fraunhofer FKIE will break new ground together in the future, providing mutual support in the initial and advanced training of IT security experts.
Goal of strengthening the network
KdoCIR and Fraunhofer FKIE are founding members of the recently established Cyber Security Bonn
Both KdoCIR and the Fraunhofer FKIE are founding members of the recently established Cyber Security Cluster Bonn. The association has set itself the goal of strengthening the network of the major Bonn-based players in the cyber security field and optimally combining their competencies.
Professor Martini is the deputy chairman of the cluster, General Setzer represents the KdoCIR on the advisory board, which also includes the vice president of the BSI and the president of the Bonn police department. “The Cyber Security Cluster Bonn sees itself as an army of the good guys. Every building block that leads to better collaboration and thus to more cyber security is important,” said Professor Martini at the signing ceremony.
Overall national security
The Cyber and Information Space (CIR) Command is the newest organizational area of the Bundeswehr. It has overall responsibility for the dimension of cyber and information space and ensures the operations and protection of the Bundeswehr's IT system, both at home and in deployed environments.
Cyber and Information Space (CIR) Command is the newest organizational area of the Bundeswehr
It strengthens and develops capabilities for reconnaissance and action in the cyber and information space are strengthened and further developed. In addition, the CIR command supports all other areas of the Bundeswehr with the Geoinformation System of the Bundeswehr. By fulfilling its mandate, engaging in exchanges and collaboration with other institutions, it contributes to overall national security.
Innovation in information and communication technology
At its core, the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics FKIE is geared towards supporting government institutions in the field of external and internal security. Strategic cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, the Federal Office for Information Security, and the Federal Police is of critical importance.
In the economic sector, the FKIE focuses on security at airports, in air traffic, for maritime systems and in the IT sector. With approximately 450 employees at its Bonn and Wachtberg locations, the FKIE is a pioneering institute for applied research and practical innovation in information and communication technology as well as in the field of human-oriented technology design.
