Digitization is the main theme at this year’s CeBIT. But what happens to data in an increasingly networked world? In this interview, Dirk Kretzschmar, Managing Director of TÜViT, gives an overview of activities at the largest IT Exhibition in the world, and speaks about the challenges of IT security.
This year, CeBIT intends to cover the entire digital industry portfolio. What role will TÜViT play?
We will be presenting our services as a partner for secure digitization. Well-publicised hacker attacks on hospitals, the administration of the German Parliament, and more recently on a Jeep Cherokee vehicle, make it clear that our world – which is ever more dominated by technology – raises many questions when it comes to security.
IT and cyber security are therefore right at the top of the decisionmakers’ agenda. Cyber criminality and data theft now affect almost all organisations – and in our age of digitization and the internet of things, these risks are becoming ever more intense. On the path towards Industry 4.0, IT security is the greatest challenge for organisations of all kinds. This is why we will be demonstrating our expertise in the area of IT security and functional safety for Industry 4.0; we will provide information about the regulations contained in the new German IT security legislation on critical infrastructures like energy suppliers and telecommunications equipment – and will also consider the weak points that exist within IT systems.
Has awareness of the need for protection of IT systems increased?
Reports regarding cyber attacks have indeed led to a sharpening of awareness. But many organisations still ask themselves which risks have really to be taken seriously and which security and defence measures are the right ones in order to protect their own particular business models. And risks are no longer associated merely with data theft, as attackers can now take complete control of systems, processes, machinery or even a private motor vehicle, as in the case of the Cherokee.
What can companies do to protect themselves against such attacks?
Not only medium-sized companies, but also large enterprises often find it difficult to select a solution which is tailored to their needs, as IT security is not in the area of their core expertise. The wish is often expressed for a complete solution, which would protect against all dangers once and for all. However, IT solutions have to be adapted to the individual company. It is not just a matter of the use and correct dimensioning of the hardware and its configurations, responsibilities, organisations and processes also have to harmonise with one another. Our new IT Security Consulting service provides the advice that is needed to achieve this. At TÜViT, we also play the part of the “good hacker”. This means carrying out penetration tests and weakness analyses, for example, in order to determine the current resistance of the existing IT security components and measures. When we do this, we not only test individual components such as firewalls – we also place the entire infrastructure under stress. This enables us to reveal weak points so that the client can take measures for stronger protection of its IT infrastructure.
CeBIT is a business IT event taking place from 14 to 18 March at the exhibition centre in Hanover. The TÜV NORD GROUP stand is in Hall 6, G27.