Digitalisierung Partner // Westfälische Hochschule // Institute for Internet Security

Institute for Internet Security

The Institute for Internet Security - if(is) is an innovative, independent, scientific facility of the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences. Besides research and development, we are a creative service provider with a focus on Internet security. Under the leadership of Prof. Norbert Pohlmann since its official opening in May 2005, the institute, in close cooperation with the industry and with a young and creative research team, has become one of the most considerable centres of excellence for Internet security. Our aim is to make the Internet a more trustworthy and secure place.

Since its foundation, the Institute for Internet Security has successfully carried out numerous research projects, financed by funding agencies such as: the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), the EU, the state of North-Rhine-Westphalia and many large companies in the field of IT-security.

Making the Internet more trustworthy and secure is a socially relevant challenge, which I am glad to face every day.

Prof. Norbert Pohlmann, Professor for Information Security and Head oft he Insitute for Internet Security oft he Wesphalian University for Applied Sciences

These are some of our core areas of research: trusted computing, payment systems and bank transactions, structural analysis of the Internet, mobile security, identity management, IT-security in healthcare and research into the detection of malware.

Our core competencies

Concepts and specifications: We develop concepts and specifications so you can use your valuable time for other tasks.
Studies: We perform studies on special issues or on the operability of ideas to give you a good foundation for strategic decisions.
Live-Hacking / Awareness-Performance Workshops: Because knowledge is the best way to protect yourself, our experts equip you with the knowledge which security-risks have to be faced when using the internet during through entertaining, on site hands-on workshops. Our specialists point out how security-vulnerabilities can be exploited by attackers. The aim is to improve the security awareness of all participants and to impart necessary knowledge for a responsible use of new technologies.
Consulting: We advise you on how to improve your Internet security or that of your customers.
Research and development: We use our expertise and infrastructure to make your research and development straightforward and efficient. In the past 10 years, the if(is) has successfully carried out over 30 projects financed by the BMBF, the BMWi, the BSI, the EU and the state of North-Rhine-Westphalia, which involved more than 75 research partners. Furthermore, many innovative results were obtained in over 40 projects with third party funding that were carried out with large companies in the field of IT-security.
Penetration tests: We conduct customised penetration tests with a very high scientific level to show you the weak points in your web applications and advise you on how to solve them.
Surveys: We perform surveys according to your specifications; the results can be a valuable tool for decision-making.
Benchmarking: We create benchmarking reports for products or concepts, which can be used as a basis for decision-making.
Prototype development: We develop prototypes for the verification of functions and concepts ("proof of concept") or as a foundation for your future products.