Project develops intelligent IT security assistant for skilled trades sector

In the course of the digital transformation, information technology (IT) security poses major challenges, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the German skilled trades sector. The digitization of data and processes is being transferred to individual players without expert training. In addition, there is predominantly a critical attitude toward digital innovations and a lack of understanding of the need for IT security solutions, which is why only a few companies use existing IT security solutions. However, in order to seize the opportunities of the digital transformation, the challenges must be addressed and overcome by finding new and user-friendly solutions, especially for IT security. Scientists at the University of Kassel and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology are working with the Berufsförderungswerk des Handwerks and other practical partners to develop an intelligent IT security assistant, identify a viable business model and design an accompanying training program to increase IT security in the German skilled trades.

The goal is to raise awareness of the topic of IT security in the skilled trades sector and to enable them to improve IT security in technical, organizational and competence-based terms. As part of the "IT Security in Business" initiative, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) is funding the "Intelligent Security Handwerk" project with around 1 million euros. The project started in August 2021 and will run for three years. The kick-off meeting was held at the University of Kassel on October 27, 2021.

In the coming months, a team led by Prof. Dr. Patrick Spieth, head of the Department of Technology and Innovation Management at the University of Kassel, will survey competence and skill profiles of skilled craftspeople with regard to security-relevant aspects of digital technologies and explore the impact of digital business model innovations on the use of digital technologies. Furthermore, a viable business model will be identified to flank the intelligent IT security assistant. This is being developed in parallel under the direction of Prof. Dr. Ali Sunyaev at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in order to analyze, evaluate and further develop the IT security measures of craft enterprises in a targeted manner. Based on this, the Berufsförderungswerk des Handwerks (BFH) under the direction of Friedrich Schüttler is developing a concept for further training courses in the area of IT security, which will serve as a scientifically based further training format for competence and skills development in the skilled trades sector. In addition to the University of Kassel, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the Berufsförderungswerk des Handwerks (Vocational Training Center for Skilled Crafts) as funded partners, the following associated partners are also involved: Gringel Bau + Plan GmbH, H. & H. Begoin GmbH, Hans Walter & Sohn GmbH, the Kassel Chamber of Skilled Crafts, the Mittelstand 4.0 Competence Center IT Economy, SoSafe GmbH, Bitkom Servicegesellschaft mbH, Dekra Digital, the Heinz Piest Institute (HPI), the German Federal Employment Agency and the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH).

Contact
Prof. Dr. Patrick Spieth
University of Kassel
Department of Technology and Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship
Tel.: 0561 804-3055
E-mail: spieth@uni-kassel.de

The Mittelstand-Digital Netzwerk offers comprehensive support for digitization with the Mittelstand-Digital Zentren, the Initiative IT-Sicherheit in der Wirtschaft and Digital Jetzt. Small and medium-sized enterprises benefit from concrete practical examples and tailored, provider-neutral offers for qualification and IT security. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy enables free use and provides financial subsidies. Further information can be found at www.it-sicherheit-in-der-wirtschaft.de