New research project examines responsible use of information technology in German hospitals

Cyberattacks on hospitals pose an increasing threat to data security and healthcare in German hospitals. Human errors are often the main doorway for cyberattacks. The joint project "KISK: Competence-oriented and job-specific IT security for employees in hospitals" therefore aims at a conscious handling of technologies in the context of critical infrastructures. The project is being funded by the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) for three years with around 610.000 €.

The interdisciplinary project team first identifies the actual competence requirements of cyber defense in hospitals. Based on this, innovative IT security awareness toolkits will be developed and evaluated. The chair of Prof. Dr. Manuel Trenz focuses on the investigation and design of employee interactions with technology in a hospital context. The challenge here is how IT security can be ensured in the long term without causing further cognitive strain. To this end, so-called "nudges" will be developed and evaluated to increase situational awareness of risks in everyday work and thus reinforce the use of IT security procedures.

With project partners from the University of Göttingen, the University Medical Center Göttingen, the University of Hohenheim and thirteen German hospitals, innovative training and awareness concepts for defending against cyber attacks on hospitals will be developed and published over the next three years. In this way, we are creating a secure environment for patients and employees in German hospitals.

Photo credits: Tima Miroshnichenko (Pexels)