In today’s digitalized world, companies are becoming increasingly dependent on information and communication technologies, as a result of which they are exposed to both internal and external threats from hacker attacks. A functioning IT infrastructure and highly effective IT security measures are therefore an essential factor for corporate success. At the Fraunhofer campus in Braunschweig, this area is the responsibility of a 9-person team, which, in addition to operational-continuity management, performs other key tasks such as the development and implementation of security concepts for new institute locations. In the following interview, Andreas Schlechtweg, Head of the IT department, reveals to us the special challenges of working in a research institution and what fascinates him about it.

What is special about your work at a research institution?

At the Fraunhofer IST, we are very fortunate to be able to utilize our knowledge within research projects. Particularly as regards the selection of techniques and methods for data acquisition and processing, our campus IT is an important partner for the institute’s scientists and is able – through ongoing training and the comprehensive knowledge that has been accumulated over the years – to provide a substantial contribution. What we particularly enjoy is the variety of challenges. Every research project has different boundary conditions that we have to fulfill. In addition, there are the legal and Fraunhofer-internal requirements that have to be taken into account in the IT solutions. 

What is special about your work at a research institution?

At the Fraunhofer IST, we are very fortunate to be able to utilize our knowledge within research projects. Particularly as regards the selection of techniques and methods for data acquisition and processing, our campus IT is an important partner for the institute’s scientists and is able – through ongoing training and the comprehensive knowledge that has been accumulated over the years – to provide a substantial contribution. What we particularly enjoy is the variety of challenges. Every research project has different boundary conditions that we have to fulfill. In addition, there are the legal and Fraunhofer-internal requirements that have to be taken into account in the IT solutions.

What particular challenges are presented by your work?

An important goal of my IT team is to support the researchers with our available resources whilst thereby adhering to compliance requirements - which is not always easy. Our researchers use the latest technologies and techniques, which often originate from non-European countries and are therefore not subject to European regulations. Our task is to then  assess the IT risks and, if necessary, to eliminate them through further technical measures. This applies to devices from the field of the Internet of Things as well as the utilization of AI. The expansion of the institute also presented further challenges. In this context, my team not only established numerous measures for preventing unintentional data leakage, but also brought data processing up to the latest level and implemented a 100 GB network, for example.

The Fraunhofer IST has several locations - what does that mean for your work?

In addition to the main location in Braunschweig, the external locations of the Fraunhofer IST must also always be considered and monitored. As early as the planning stage for new buildings, IT security is already playing an important role. We are therefore always involved in the design right from the start. From Internet supply cables, fiber optics and server room, through power supply, UPS, network backbone, client connection and LAN and WLAN, and all the way to access management and door closures with admission control: everything has to be thought through in meticulous detail. In addition, there are measures for necessary certifications or, in the specific case of the new Fraunhofer ZESS building, special security requirements as a result of its proximity to Braunschweig-Wolfsburg Airport.

What opportunities does the application of artificial intelligence offer in your field of work and what are the particular challenges?

AI offers companies the possibility of optimizing their business processes, increasing efficiency and gaining better insights from available data. For example, with the aid of AI algorithms, larger volumes of data can be analyzed and patterns identified, which leads to more in-depth results and can improve the competitiveness of a company in the long term. Examples for the use of AI in company-internal IT include automated data analysis, intelligent chatbots for customer support, and machine learning for the detection of anomalies in network traffic.

At the Fraunhofer IST, we also use AI technologies in order to detect irregularities in the security systems, the firewall or end-point security. An extensive monitoring system consisting of more than 120,000 sensors monitors everything - from servers to laboratory systems to building technology. This enables us to react more quickly in the event of disruptions and to ensure that research operations can run as smoothly as possible. 

In addition to the opportunities mentioned, the use of AI also harbors challenges in the area of data security. The more data is collected and analyzed, the greater the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access. Hacker attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and also use AI technologies in order to attack the company’s internal infrastructure and steal or manipulate sensitive information. Phishing E-mails are a well-known example of such an approach.

In order to protect ourselves against these threats and to repel both internal and external attacks, we pursue a multi-layered security strategy at the Fraunhofer IST. This includes established procedures and processes as well as technical and organizational measures such as firewalls, intrusion-detection systems, regular data backups and continuous monitoring of the networks. Specifically, we have been operating a so-called Next-Generation Firewall for more than ten years, through which all data traffic leaving the campus is visible and can be controlled in accordance with predefined framework conditions. 

Will the application of AI change your work at the Fraunhofer IST in the long term?

We are currently looking into whether AI systems can take over standard tasks. In this way, we would like to create free space for tasks that go hand-in-hand with the growth of the institute and, consequently, with the increasing demands on IT.

What fascinates you personally about working at the Fraunhofer IST?

From the very beginning, I found the work at the IST exciting and diversified. The numerous research projects, new buildings and external locations present new challenges every day. A filter from the Fraunhofer IST in the Rover on Mars, the patient room of the future, new sustainable energy storage systems and much more? What could be more exciting? Furthermore, it is also a lot of fun to be able to work directly on new scientific solutions. 

You train IT specialists. Why should someone undertake training at the Fraunhofer IST?

Trainees at the Fraunhofer IST benefit from our many years of experience. My team and I have created a basis for all-encompassing IT specialist training here with more than 200 servers, numerous services and a segmented network. We let our trainees work on our complete infrastructure as soon as possible. Our diverse procedures for immediate error correction provide our trainees with the security they need to fearlessly undertake even major adjustments to the system. In addition, there is the familiar atmosphere at the IST. This enables our newcomers to feel at ease right from the start and to learn confidently without pressure. This is also reflected in the fact that our trainees regularly receive awards from the Braunschweig Chamber of Industry and Commerce for their special achievements. 

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