In order to detect hackers and malware more quickly in the future and make them harmless, the Free State of Saxony is building a powerful infrastructure for information security. This involves strengthening approx. 40,000 PC workstations in numerous sub-networks against unauthorized external access.
The subnets are created by connecting various public authorities, some of which exchange highly sensitive data. The Saxon State Chancellery, which is responsible for the information security of the state administration, has therefore initiated the "HoneySens" project. Together with the Technical University of Dresden and T-Systems MMS, "HoneySens" was developed and put into practice. HoneySens is made up of the words "Honeypot" and "sensors".
The software developed for this purpose uses sensors in the network to simulate vulnerable - and therefore attractive to attackers - weak points, the so-called "honeypots". The hacker traps record all data streams during a suspicious access to the network and forward them to a central server for checking and alerting. With the help of the user-friendly, low-maintenance web application, the aggregated data can be evaluated in real time.
The "honeypots" thus collect valuable information to protect the entire IT system against unauthorized external intrusion. The device, which was specially developed for this scenario, can be installed in any office and is not connected to regular PCs in the government network, which makes access practically impossible.
The Saxon State Chancellery supports the Prime Minister in the performance of his duties, including the determination of policy guidelines, departmental coordination, protocol matters, fundamental questions of state administration as well as the coordination of international relations and the state government's funding policy.
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Hackers in the honey trap
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