Revolution in IT security: TF-Industries protects companies from cyber attacks!

Revolution in IT security: TF-Industries protects companies from cyber attacks!

On July 23, 2025, the founding of TF-Industries, a start-up from the Ruhr University Bochum, caused a stir. The company has developed an innovative technology called “Safe Storage” that is intended to fundamentally change data protection. The focus is on backup security, especially given the worrying figure that 70 percent of all cyberattacks encrypt backups. The need for this becomes clear when you consider that a downtime of 23 days can threaten the existence of many medium-sized companies news.rub.de reported.

The founding idea arose during the bachelor's degree in an exchange between the founders Fabian Gieshoff, Uli Vinkelau, Tobias Bümmerstede and Daniel Grund as well as professors and the incubator Cube 5. A key point in the development was the realization that the software-based backup systems used so far are vulnerable because they are constantly connected to local networks. Instead, TF-Industries offers physically separate systems that only allow data to pass through in one direction using a patented locking process.

Important milestones and awards

TF-Industries was awarded first place at the WORLDFACTORY Demo Day 2025 and is considered the most promising start-up at the Ruhr University Bochum. To support the company, it received 760,000 euros in funding from the Federal Ministry's StartUpSecure program. Their goal is to make IT security understandable for everyone and to make access easier for small and medium-sized companies in particular. Compliance with the EU's Cyber ​​Resilience Act (CRA) and the new NIS2 directive present additional challenges that the company integrates into its solutions.

The NIS2 Directive brings significant changes to cybersecurity in the EU. It obliges companies to introduce comprehensive security measures and provide evidence. Organizations that are non-compliant face hefty penalties, which can reach up to 10 million euros or 2 percent of global annual turnover, such as mainstream.eu highlights. The regulations require companies to develop a plan to maintain operations in the event of a cyber incident and to implement a contingency strategy.

Strategies and recommendations for companies

Backup and disaster recovery strategies are central to quickly and reliably restoring critical systems and data. The recommended 3-2-1 backup rule states that organizations should store three copies of their data on two different media and one copy off-site. This approach minimizes downtime and ensures operational resilience. Regular testing and verification of backup integrity is also essential to be prepared in the event of an attack.

In summary, TF-Industries brings a breath of fresh air to the industry through its innovative technology and focus on physical backup separation. At a time when cyberattacks are becoming increasingly complex, TF-Industries' solutions are not only a step forward, but potentially vital protection for many companies facing the new requirements of the NIS2 directive.