Security on the Internet: Experts discuss risks and solutions in Ilmenau!

Security on the Internet: Experts discuss risks and solutions in Ilmenau!

Nowadays, more and more everyday devices are networked, which has a decisive influence on communication between different computing systems. Communication systems represent a central part of the critical infrastructure, whose reliability, availability and security are of great importance for numerous technical services in many areas of life. Modern IT systems are characterized by high performance and adaptability, which is increasingly required, especially in times of digitalization. These challenges are addressed within the framework of the NetSys 2025, an important event organized by the “Communication and Distributed Systems” specialist group.

NetSys 2025 brings over a hundred experts to Ilmenau to address the central questions in the area of ​​network systems. A particular focus is on the development of new networking concepts that combine the virtual and physical worlds, as well as the support of decentralized AI systems and local data processing through edge computing. Walter Willinger from NIKSUN will address the role of AI in communication systems in his keynote, while the far-reaching need for action in the development of secure networks will be comprehensively discussed. In this context, the energy efficiency of computing systems is a critical issue, especially given the increasing demands caused by technologies such as AI.

Cybersecurity in the Internet of Things and Internet of Energy

Another important aspect that will be intensively addressed at NetSys 2025 and beyond is cybersecurity in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Internet of Energy (IoE). The IoE represents a smart energy network that integrates renewable and non-renewable energy sources with IoT technologies. The aim is to optimize energy production, transmission, distribution and use for more efficient and sustainable energy management. Real-time data from smart sensors and connected devices enable precise control over energy flows, resulting in reduced energy waste and lower costs.
In this context there is IEEE Communications Society However, it is important to remember that the large number of connected devices also poses significant cybersecurity risks.

The challenges are manifold: Cybersecurity mechanisms must be designed to be lightweight and robust in order to avoid loss of performance. Securing real-time data between IoE devices and control centers is particularly relevant. Threats such as AI-driven attacks and supply chain vulnerabilities require innovative approaches to security to ensure the integrity of the entire system. An example of the drama of these threats is the Triton malware attack on a Saudi Arabian petrochemical plant in 2017, which disabled critical security controls.

Holistic approaches to IoT security

The need to build security into IoT systems from the start, rather than implementing it after the fact, is a key insight WIoT Group according to. Current threats such as ransomware, data leaks and system attacks require a holistic security strategy that must be viewed as a core architectural principle. Typical IoT systems are composed of many devices communicating using different protocols, creating a fragmented attack surface.

Some of the key security measures for 2025 include secure-by-design hardware, secure boot chains, device-to-cloud encryption, and zero trust networks. It is also emphatically pointed out that companies have a responsibility to actively design and ensure IoT security. Upcoming events such as NetSys 2025 and WIoT Tomorrow 2025 will provide crucial platforms to showcase innovative security solutions and technologies and connect experts.