Research field: Energy
Helmholtz Program (PoF IV): Energy System Design (ESD)
Topic 2: Digitalization and System Technology
Subtopic 2.1: Digitalization and Systems Technology for Flexibility Solutions

The working group ”Resilient Secure Automation (RSA)” addresses the cybersecurity of distributed Industrial Control Systems (ICS) with a focus on future energy infrastructures. The digitalization of critical infrastructures through networked automation technologies for control, coupling, and maintenance is leading to an increase in the attack surface for cyberattacks. With the research platform Energy Lab , and in particular the Security Lab Energy (SecLabE), the group conducts research on the realistic emulation of Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attack chains, as well as on the early detection and prevention of attacks. In doing so, both classical information and communication technology and operational technology (OT), as well as combined overall systems, are considered. The group also explores methods from machine learning and artificial intelligence alongside traditional approaches. Here, the Cyber Range and the expertise in executing attacks on cyber-physical systems play a central role. A key prerequisite is practical feasibility, particularly in existing systems, as well as realism. The long-term goal is to emulate and study cyberattacks end-to-end, that is, from the initial compromise in the IT domain through to the physical impact in the OT domain.

 Note: Previously known as “Energy Lab 2.0”, the current name from 2024 is “Energy Lab”.

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