Security
Security is a key issue for eco. As a cross-cutting topic, it affects all areas of application and layers of the Internet. In addition to various initiatives and services, a dedicated Security Competence Group deals with current security issues from an industry perspective. The separate Anti-Abuse Competence Group serves as a platform for members to exchange information on current abuse issues.
Since the beginning of 2024, Olaf Pursche, Head of Communications at Swiss IT Security Group AG, has been leading the eco Security Competence Group together with Oliver Dehning, a specialist in cloud security. The two leaders cover a wide range of topics and work with eco member companies in conferences, workshops and discussion groups to address current IT security issues.
Once a year, eco surveys IT security experts as part of its “IT Security” study to assess the threat situation, evaluate current security issues and identify trends. The range of topics extends from the general and individual threat situation to organisational and technical measures and trend topics for the industry. On 12 March 2024, the eco IT Security Survey 2024 was published. Cornelia Schildt presented the results to a large audience as part of the IT Trends in Bochum event.
The Internet of Things (IoT) and the associated players together form one of the strongest and most sustainable growth industries of recent years. At the same time, these devices are also increasingly becoming the focus of attackers. The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) aims to increase security. The opportunities and challenges for manufacturers were discussed across competence groups (IoT Competence Group/Security Competence Group) in a German webinar on 15 February with various experts and participants.
Artificial intelligence (AI) heralds the next stage in the evolution of cybersecurity. How will IT teams defend against cyberattacks in the future? The Security Competence Group at eco – Association of the Internet Industry met on 21 February at the eco office in Berlin for an expert workshop and developed five key theses on dealing with AI in the IT security landscape.
The cybersecurity industry is also facing the challenge of an increasingly acute threat situation and the resulting growing demand for skilled workers. In cooperation with the New Work Competence Group, the Security Competence Group met on 15 May 2024 at member company G Data in Bochum. Based on practical reports and discussion rounds, five strategies to combat the shortage of skilled workers were developed specifically for the cybersecurity industry.
The growing threat situation and the associated need not only to protect oneself as best as possible against attacks, but also to take measures in the event that an attack is successful in order to minimise losses and down time, were the topics of the Competence Group meeting on 3 December 2024 in Cologne. Under the heading of cyber resilience, the experts exchanged views on measures at the physical level, secure software and testing, and developed tips for companies.
ISD 2024
Under the motto “Security as a Gamechanger”, the Internet Security Days (ISD) 2024 took place at the RheinEnergieSTADION, home of 1. FC Cologne. The industry meeting focused on how cybersecurity influences the digitalisation of the economy and society. New technologies, regulations and attack vectors show that digital innovation is only possible in a sustainable manner with reliable protective measures: cybersecurity minimises risks and drives innovation at the same time.
Further information is available here.
Publications and short studies
- Smart Home: Every Second Household in Germany Already Uses More Than Four Devices With Online Access
- eco Survey: Many Germans Write Down Passwords on Paper
- eco Survey: Half of Germans Manage Their Finances Online
- eco IT Security Survey 2024 Shows Increased Importance of IT Security
- AI and Cybersecurity – eco Expert Group Formulates 5 Theses
- eco Survey on World Backup Day: Around One in Two (43%) Completely Forego Cloud Backups
- “An encryption ban is practically unfeasible and violates fundamental rights”
- eco Survey: Encrypted Cloud Data Is Important to Germans
- Finding and Retaining IT Security Experts: eco Association Offers 5 Tips
- Security Update Causes Chaos: eco Comments on Technical Problems at Berlin Airport and Worldwide
- eco Survey Shows: Companies Are Neglecting Measures to Recruit Cybersecurity Experts
- The Key Is “Passwordless”
- eco Survey: Every Second German Secures Data Twice on the Internet
- Cyber Resilience Act Comes into Force: Digital Products Under Scrutiny
- Christmas Wonder or Bargain Trap? Around a Third of Germans Have Already Fallen for Fake Shops
Interviews with our members
- IoT Security: 3 Questions for Eric Clausing, AV-Test
- Artificial Intelligence and IT Security: 3 Questions for Oliver Dehning
- 3 Questions for Carina Franke, G DATA
- 5 Questions for Maurice Striek, NVISO GmbH
- 5 Questions for Michael Sicklinger, Arista Networks
- 3 Questions for Jörn Stuphorn, IONOS
- IT Security Architect Sonja Gresser on AI in IT Security
- Dr. Christian Reinhardt on the Human Factor in Cybersecurity
- Dominic Haussmann on Ensuring IT Security in the Cloud
- 5 Questions for Thomas Pfützenreuther, Managing Director at iAP – Independent Consulting + Audit Professionals
- 5 Questions for Dr. Or Sela, Channel Account Manager at F5
- Quantum Keys: The Key to Digital Security
