Security, Robustness, and Trust
Security, robustness against errors and attacks, as well as user trust in technical systems are essential prerequisites in all application areas of modern technical systems. Digital technologies in areas such as artificial intelligence, smart grids and smart mobility, Industry 4.0 and cyber-physical systems are inconceivable without adequate security, robustness and trust.
Areas of application
The BUW chairs and working groups cover different SRT application areas, for example:
We use cryptography all the time in our everyday lives, usually without realizing it. So that passwords can't be stolen, no one can read what WhatsApp messages we write and no one can steal money from our accounts or our cars. But unfortunately, the ongoing development of so-called quantum computers is threatening the security of all these systems.
Therefore, we are currently in the process of reinventing modern cryptography in large parts and then building it into the entire Internet, cell phones, cars and other digital applications. The so-called post-quantum transformation is by far the biggest technical challenge on the Internet at the moment.
IT security researchers at the University of Wuppertal have already helped to develop the encryption methods we use on the Internet today. We are now working on the next generation, which can be used in the future not only on the internet, but also in AI, smart grids, smart mobility, Industry 4.0 and cyber-physical systems.
Trust in AI systems plays a crucial role in ensuring their acceptance and increasing efficiency and productivity. AI researchers at the University of Wuppertal actively assume their ethical and social responsibility and support the regulation of AI systems by researching how to improve the understanding and control of these systems. For example, they are developing systems that enable systematic investigations such as audits, e.g. to detect discrimination. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of new methods that allow users to actively shape AI systems.
Another unique strength of the University of Wuppertal is the close cooperation between IT security experts and experts in application areas such as cyber-physical systems and machine learning. This is the only way to find innovative solutions that enable these future technologies to be used securely and sustainably. The focus here is on cutting-edge research in the participating specialist areas.
There is currently an immense shortage of skilled workers in the field of IT security due to the demand in all areas that are currently undergoing digital transformation. Working in this field requires a very high level of specialist qualification, and universities are responsible for training these experts. In addition to specialist qualifications in lectures and seminars, the University of Wuppertal also offers the opportunity to learn more about the attack techniques of hackers and how to prevent attacks in the university's CTF team.
Chairs and research groups
The following chairs and research groups in computer science are active in the “Security, Robustness & Trust” focus area:
Designing trustworthy artificial intelligence (Prof. Hendrik Heuer)
IT Security and Cryptography (Prof. Tibor Jager)
and in cast:
Reliable Software and Distributed Systems
Robust, Secure and Privacy-Preserving Smart Systems
