State of Hesse funds Kassel research project on cyber security in industry

Hesse's Minister of Science Timon Gremmels handed over the grant agreement to SANCTUARY Systems GmbH on June 12, 2025. He emphasized: "By funding the PlantProtect project, we are specifically strengthening Hessen's innovative power in the field of cyber security. The cooperation between industry and science is helping to develop highly relevant future technologies and at the same time further expand Hessen as a technology location. Our LOEWE funding line 3 supports promising collaborations between companies and universities or research institutions and expands Hessen's importance in terms of technology transfer."

Cyber security in the process industry: a key task for the future

The aim of the project is to develop a hybrid security system that combines active scanning processes with AI-supported anomaly detection. In view of the increasing complexity and networking of industrial systems, PlantProtect represents an innovative approach to safeguarding critical infrastructures. The solution aims to significantly increase resilience and operational safety in the process industry - a sector that generates a turnover of around 970 billion euros in Germany alone.

LOEWE: State program for excellent science and innovation

LOEWE (Landes-Offensive zur Entwicklung Wissenschaftlich-ökonomischer Exzellenz) is the central research funding program of the state of Hesse. It supports excellent research projects with high economic and social relevance. LOEWE funding line 3 strengthens cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises, universities and research institutions. The Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture has commissioned the state-owned business development agency HA Hessen Agentur GmbH to organize and manage the funding of LOEWE funding line 3 projects.

Dr. Rainer Waldschmidt, Managing Director of HA Hessen Agentur GmbH and Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH, explains: "The funding of projects such as PlantProtect strengthens Hessen's technological sovereignty and thus also contributes to securing and creating jobs. Through our support, we enable collaborations in which concrete solutions are developed for key challenges such as cyber security in industry."

Innovative cooperation between business and science

The project is being led by SANCTUARY Systems GmbH from Darmstadt. Its partner is the University of Kassel with the Department of Measurement and Control Engineering headed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. The two partners contribute complementary expertise: While SANCTUARY Systems specializes in industrial IT security, the University of Kassel has proven expertise in the modelling and monitoring of industrial processes.

Dr.-Ing. Emmanuel Stapf, Managing Director of SANCTUARY Systems GmbH, emphasizes: "With PlantProtect, we want to initiate a real paradigm shift - away from reactive measures and towards proactive cyber security in the process industry. The LOEWE funding enables us to turn this vision into reality together with the University of Kassel."

Further information on LOEWE funding line 3:
https://www.innovationsfoerderung-hessen.de/loewe-foerderlinie-3

Further information on the LOEWE research funding program:
https://wissenschaft.hessen.de/forschen/landesprogramm-loewe