A new report from the Centre for Cyber Security (CFCS) under the Danish Defence Intelligence Service (DDIS) concludes that the cyber threat against Danish public research institutions is high and real. Consequently, the management urges everyone to think more about secure online behaviour.

2016.12.05 | Mette Helm

Foreign states have an interest as well as the skills and resources to conduct espionage against Danish public research or exploit the research institutions’ infrastructure for other purposes. This is stated in a new report on cybercrime. Photo: Colourbox.

According to the report Hackere fra udlandet truer danske offentlige forskningsinstitutioner (Hackers from other countries are threatening Danish public research institutions), the most significant threats are espionage directed at research data which can be used commercially or politically, personal information theft, and IT infrastructure sabotage. It is assessed that the universities are particularly vulnerable because these institutions and their researchers usually are, and need to be, very open.

The university directors in Universities Denmark have discussed the report, and they agree that information security is a joint responsibility that all managers and members of staff share – it is not just the IT departments’ responsibility. It is not about breaking the tradition and becoming less open, it is about increasing awareness of secure online behaviour.

Aarhus University already follows the report’s recommendations and works to improve online security on a daily basis. A very important part of this work is to make staff aware of the more and more advanced ways of attempting to hack into the university’s systems. Right now and in the coming period, AU IT will put focus on e.g. phishing, code security and data management through several information campaigns for staff. The material is available on the university’s information security website.

Aarhus University is exposed to attacks every day, and unfortunately, in some cases, the hackers succeed. The senior management team urges all members of staff to be careful online and to familiarise themselves with the initiatives to improve the university’s information security. Contact your local IT support if you suspect that you have been exposed to an attack.

Read more

• Find material on information security at AU
• Read the report from the Centre for Cyber Security (CFCS) Hackere fra udlandet truer danske offentlige forskningsinstitutioner (Hackers from other countries are threatening Danish public research institutions) in Danish