[Translate to English:] Bereits vor sechs Jahren hat genua gemeinsam mit der Technischen Universität (TU) Darmstadt begonnen, das digitale Signaturverfahren XMSS zur Marktreife zu bringen. 2017 wurde das Verfahren schließlich als erster Internet-Standard für Post-Quantum-Signaturen veröffentlicht.

To err is human, especially in highly complex jobs such as software programming. And not every careless mistake in a line of code immediately results in a safety-relevant problem. But: Who checks and decides that in IT security teams, which, with their limited resources, need to concentrate on other priorities?

In just a few years, quantum computers could be ready for practical use. This is a risk scenario that must be taken seriously when considering current cryptographic methods. The effective protection of digital infrastructures against the advanced computing capabilities of quantum chips is only possible if IT security keeps pace with this development.

New challenges call for new approaches. At present, for example, digitization requires an extensive restructuring of many business processes. IT departments are expected to flexibly support this dynamic development with the necessary applications. But that’s just one side of the story. On the other side, growing cyber threats demand additional security measures. In the past, increased IT security often came at the expense of flexibility in IT operations, however.

This was another busy year for businesses in the arms race against cybercriminals: According to the German Federal Office for Information Security, around 320,000 new malware items entered circulation between June 2018 and May 2019 alone – per day. This increases the pressure to establish an IT security infrastructure that can also keep up with the spectrum of future threats.

Do media companies place special requirements on IT security? And what are the current challenges? RTL2 is one of genua's long-standing customers – an interview with Reinhard Görtner, Head of IT & CIO, RTL2 Fernsehen GmbH & CO. KG.

In the QuaSiModO (Quantum-Safe VPN Modules and Operation Modes) research project, new quantum-resistant algorithms are being investigated, tested and implemented in VPN standards and VPN implementations. genua is the project coordinator and is represented in the project by Stefan-Lukas Gazdag. In the interview below, the cryptography expert answers questions about the research content.

High reliability during operation and cost savings in service and support: The remote maintenance of SAP systems provides considerable user benefits. However, risks need to be avoided during remote access by external experts and a very high level of protection must be ensured. A remote maintenance solution developed by genua together with SAP identifies new possibilities. It transfers a remote maintenance concept from the industrial sector to the SAP world.

In May 2019, genua acquired IT security start-up cognitix, which is now an in-house department at genua in Leipzig and is further developing cognitix Threat Defender. The solution, which uniquely combines artificial intelligence, data analytics, and threat intelligence is now part of genua’s IT security portfolio. Interview with Arnold Krille, head of development for cognitix Threat Defender, about the innovative IT security solution that combines AI, data analytics, and threat intelligence.