Josef Ressel Center for Security Analysis of IoT Devices

About the Center

The world we live in is becoming increasingly digital. An important step in this digitalization process is to equip physical objects or “things” with the ability to connect to other ‘things’ via a network — usually the Internet— and to share collected data. The collective term for all these networked objects is “Internet of Things” (IoT).

The Internet of Things connects everyday objects, industrial plants, and urban infrastructures, turning them into data-driven, “smart” systems. However, as these devices become more widespread, there is a growing need to systematically and reliably check their security.

What is IoT and why is it important?

Networked devices can now be found in industry (Industrial IoT, IIoT), private households (Consumer IoT, CIoT), and smart cities: from smartphones and routers to networked street lights and traffic lights. Even formerly “non-smart” everyday objects such as refrigerators, light bulbs, and toys are now often connected. This connectivity brings with it new risks for data protection, security, and social infrastructure.

Goal of the Josef Ressel Center

With the increasing prevalence of IoT devices, it is becoming increasingly important to evaluate their security. Many IoT devices cannot be protected with traditional security mechanisms due to limited computing power, energy supply, or storage capacity. At the same time, many consumers lack awareness of the security of their devices, which means that manufacturers have little incentive to invest in secure products.

The Josef Ressel Center for Security Analysis of IoT Devices develops methods for testing IoT devices for security vulnerabilities in an automated, scalable, and comprehensive manner. Both physical attacks and the entire data transmission process are included in the analysis. This brings independent certification of IoT devices within reach for the first time, enabling the verification of compliance with security standards.