Cybersecurity presents major challenges for companies. According to the insurance group Allianz, cyber attacks represent the greatest business risk for companies worldwide. Companies must be open to digitalization, but at the same time digitalization increases the attack surface and requires increased efforts for cybersecurity and privacy protection.

The Research and Innovation Center »Cybersecurity« is being established as a new institute part of Fraunhofer SIT, which cooperates in its R&D work with the existing research departments of Fraunhofer SIT and the National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity ATHENE. The work of the Research and Innovation Center with its overarching focus on »Enterprise Security« is aimed at improving the security of organizations through excellent research, e.g., by developing new security solutions, through analyses and studies.

• AI and Cybersecurity: Defense against cyber attacks targeting AI (e.g., vulnerabilities in AI), AI for defense against attacks (e.g., anomaly detection) and defense against attacks using AI (e.g., deepfake detection).
• Zero Trust: Strengthening cybersecurity even if attackers have overcome initial lines of defense.
• IT Product and Supply Chain Security: Improving software security in complex development processes.
• Legally Compliant Technology Design and Processes: Governance, risk management and compliance in connection with cybersecurity and privacy protection.
• Cyber Training and Education: Strengthening cybersecurity in organizations through practice-oriented professional development.