Campus Life

Criminal investigation department and the University of Bayreuth declare war on cyber criminals

The idea of working together in the area of prevention arose from systematic considerations during the previous points of contact between the Cybercrime Commission and those responsible for information security at the university.

10.12.2023

Prof. Dr Torsten Eymann, CIO of the University of Bayreuth, Chief Superintendent Michael Kaufmann, IT investigator at the Bayreuth Criminal Investigation Department, First Chief Superintendent Markus Hahn, Head of the Cybercrime Department at the Bayreuth Criminal Investigation Department, Prof. Dr Susanne Tittlbach, Vice President for Digitalisation, Innovation and Sustainability, Ralf Stöber, Information Security Officer at the University of Bayreuth, Dr Andreas Grandel, Head of ITS at the University of Bayreuth, Dr. Nicole Kaiser, Chancellor der Universität Bayreuth (f.l.)

Every semester, the University of Bayreuth organises an information security week for all its employees. The last one was held in the week from 27 November to 1 December 2023 and once again focused on the security of computer systems, necessary settings and current threats. New in the current winter semester is the collaboration with the Bayreuth Criminal Investigation Department with the aim of enabling interested parties at the University of Bayreuth to benefit from the Criminal Investigation Department's wealth of knowledge about current cybercriminal scams.

The idea of working together in the area of prevention arose from systematic considerations during the previous points of contact between the K11 (Cybercrime) police department and those responsible for information security at the University of Bayreuth. Universities are also repeatedly targeted by cyber criminals, so there is interest on both sides in avoiding such scenarios in future through prevention work. Both the CID and the University of Bayreuth are focussed on protecting their user base. Every attack averted and therefore every victim less is a success!

As part of the latest Information Security Week, the head of Bayreuth's K11, First Chief Detective Inspector Markus Hahn, and IT investigator Chief Detective Inspector Michael Kaufmann, therefore gave a lecture in which they presented two current cyber phenomena in detail. Demand was so high that the lecture had to be moved to a much larger lecture theatre in advance.

The focus was on the topics of "False bank employees" and "Encryption of medium-sized companies". The professional approach of cyber criminals was clearly explained to the audience and they were given a variety of tips on how to recognise these scams and protect themselves against them. The great interest was also reflected in the many questions asked of the IT specialists - also about other phenomena. After the event, they were available to answer questions at a joint information stand.

The cooperation between the Bayreuth Criminal Investigation Department and the University of Bayreuth is set to continue. There is also already close co-operation with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Chamber of Crafts for Upper Franconia.

Ralf Stöber

IT-Servicezentrum (ITS)

Webmaster: Team UBTaktuell