InfoSec joint project – Brandenburg universities join forces for information security

In order to protect themselves effectively against cyber attacks and significantly increase the level of information security, eight universities in the state of Brandenburg are working together on the project "Information Security in Verbund" (InfoSec). The European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) and the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam are jointly leading the five-year project. The aim is to set up the universities in the state of Brandenburg structurally and organizationally in such a way that they will be ready for certification according to established IT security standards at the end of the project. At the same time, a sustainable exchange is to be established in which all partner universities support each other in the implementation of technical, organizational and legal requirements.

Funding from the ZDT – eight universities on board

The InfoSec joint project is funded by the Centre of Brandenburg Universities for Digital Transformation (ZDT) with almost 2.7 million euros. In addition to the European University Viadrina and the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNE), the Brandenburg University of Technology, the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau and the University of Potsdam are also involved.

Common standards, collegial exchange

Awareness workshops for university management and data centers are currently being held at the participating universities, emergency drills and plans are being prepared and a regular exchange is being established. There is also an exchange on security concepts and concrete technical measures are being planned to increase IT security.

"Information security is a very complex task – and there is no such thing as absolute security. With this project, we are establishing a regular, collegial and constructive exchange on approaches, fields of action and solutions. This enables us to achieve a significantly higher level of safety together. Thanks to the funding, we are also in a position to provide comprehensive support to all universities in the network", emphasizes Dr. Lisa Melcher, Director of the Information, Communication and Multimedia Center (IKMZ) at the European University Viadrina.

Information security creates trust

"The certification maturity aimed for in the project ensures that current and future partners – especially from industry – can trust that universities in Brandenburg have a high level of information security. Research and cooperation can thus take place on a reliable and secure basis," explains Kathrin Fischer, Head of Central IT at Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.

The universities are not only working with each other, but also with external specialist companies in order to build up knowledge in a targeted manner and keep it up to date. In this way, a standard that is as uniform as possible can be achieved together without individual universities having to act in isolation and with intensive use of resources. Such a common minimum standard and the trust that arises from the collaboration are prerequisites for the closer cooperation between Brandenburg's universities in the operation of IT services and in digitalization.

A central goal of the project is to bring all participating universities to certification maturity by the end of the project. This path is being pursued in a network with the aim of systematically sharing knowledge, learning from each other and developing practical solutions by involving external specialist companies.

Background: Legal requirements and the real threat situation

The constantly growing threat situation in the digital space, especially for universities, as well as the increasing pressure from legal regulations make such a project necessary. Today, the establishment of information security structures is a basic prerequisite for the smooth operation of research, teaching and administration. They are also an anchor of trust for cooperation with partners from business, science and society.