Every organization must protect their cyber-infrastructure from threats – external or internal. In particular, public agencies that administer private citizen data (e.g. criminal and medical records or residency registers), or who manage national security information have a duty to protect this sensitive information. Whether arising from mistakes, external attacks, social engineering, or malicious intent, human beings will always be a weak link in the IT security chain. There is often an insufficient level of awareness of security risks, which leads to users being targeted by a variety of external threats. A second prevalent problem is that of lost devices (smartphones, tablet-PCs, USB-sticks, laptops etc.).

Open Security should prevent the loss and (un)intentional misuse of sensitive, citizen-related data held by public bodies. The aim of our research is to achieve a higher level of data security and availability, while reducing effort in deployment management and maintenance. To this end, the feasibility and possible implementation of a centralized security layer will be examined based on the principles of security by isolation, virus detection, and encryption. This layer will control, verify, and encrypt any and all communication that takes place on client devices. Open Security will be provided under a license that allows both public verification and customization within heterogeneous ICT-system landscapes.

Other Project-or Cooperation partner

LIquA – Linzer Institut für qualitative Analyse
4020 Linz, Untere Donaulände 10/1

IKT Linz Infrastruktur GmbH
4020 Linz, Gruberstraße 42

X-Net Services GmbH
4020 Linz, Elisabethstraße 1

IKARUS Security Software GmbH
1050 Wien, Blechturmgasse 11

Republik Österreich (Bund) vertreten durch
Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung und Sport
1090 Wien, Roßauer Lände 1

Contact
Dr. Ross King
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Donau-City-Strasse 1
1220 Wien
Tel: +43 (0) 50550-4271
Fax: +43 (0) 50550-4271