Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

2016

German IT Security Prize – Protection for mobile devices

October 6, 2016

The 2016 German IT Security Prize went to (from left) Dr. Steven Arzt, Dr. Siegfried Rasthofer and Marc Miltenberger of the Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology SIT and the Technical University of Darmstadt, and Prof. Eric Bodden of the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design IEM and the University of Paderborn’s Heinz Nixdorf Institute. Their “Harvester” software helps generate an overview of the security situation by automatically extracting security-relevant information from Android apps – even from apps that actively defend themselves against analysis using cloaking techniques. With prize money totaling 200,000 euros, the German IT Security Prize is one of the most generous privately funded business awards in Germany. The jury is made up of recognized IT security experts from research and industry. Through the award, the Horst Görtz Foundation aims to help consolidate and further the standing of IT security »made in Germany.«

Fraunhofer FKIE receives €1.5 million from the European Research Council's Fund for ergonomic IT systems

January 6, 2016

Prof. Matthew Smith of the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics FKIE in Bonn and Wachtberg and also the University of Bonn’s Institute for Computer Science has been awarded the ERC Starting Grant, which comes with 1.5 million euros of research funding from the European Research Council to make IT security more user friendly.
Smith’s research focus is in “Usable Security.” In his new research project, he hopes to push past the current limits in the operability of computer systems. These have tended to place the emphasis on developers and administrators; now, in contrast, Smith will be putting the focus firmly on the human factor. His work aims to provide users with security-relevant information presented simply and ergonomically enough to ensure that their ability to act and their protection in cyberspace is at its maximum possible level.
The European Research Council has set itself the task of bolstering high-quality research in Europe through attractive funding programs. The aim is to support and expand Europe’s leading position in science and research.