Task and problem definition

IT security is a complex network of attack vectors, countermeasures, defensive technologies and awareness measures. Even experienced IT administrators are sometimes overwhelmed in the face of an immensely agile, ever-changing security and disturbing news situation on dangerous computer system attacks and constantly new malware. This difficult subject matter poses major challenges for IT managers in small and medium-sized enterprises. The ELITE project is designed to create experience sites for “ErLebbare IT-SichErheit durch mobile IT-Sec.PopUp-Labs”.

Solution approach and technical implementation

The project approach of ELITE pursues the goal of making complex attacks and defense technologies of IT security tangible and experienceable for broad target groups. An immersive environment in the form of an exhibit kit, the so-called IT-Sec.PopUp-Lab, is to be created to give visitors to the PopUp-Labs a concrete impression of IT security risks. The IT-Sec.PopUp-Labs are designed to provide a look behind the scenes so that the respective test persons will be able to recognize dangers by themselves in the future and see through the tricks of those who want to attack, compromise and blackmail us or steal our company knowledge.

The mobile exhibition concept with integrated demonstrators enables visitors to experience and understand IT security risks and countermeasures. The project team works closely together with the consulting tools of the Transferstelle IT-Sicherheit im Mittelstand (TISiM) and with a strong ambition of presenting expert knowledge in a simple and understandable manner at an immersive experience location with exhibits and a variety of explanatory modules.

Fraunhofer FOKUS is significantly involved in the development of the platform and the demonstrators with its two business units Digital Public Services (DPS) and Networked Security (ESPRI). The key activities of this project are in particular the conception, the design and the realization of the immersive IT-Sec.PopUp-Labs, the conception and realization of demonstrators, as well as the creation of matching storylines.

The overall project management is in the hands of Fraunhofer IAO, further project partners besides Fraunhofer FOKUS are the University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt and the University of Hamburg. ECO, the Union of the Internet Industry, is an associated partner. ELITE is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy within the scope of the field of action 2 of the “IT Security in the Economy” announcement.