Cyber security of electronic communication systems in smart textile products

FHProfUnt 2016 Research Project

The SEKT project systematically investigates the cyber security of electronic communication systems and their integration within smart textile products. It further develops security concepts and smart demonstrators that have practical relevance.

The main objectives are scientific investigation of the cyber security of smart textile products, transfer of existing security concepts, and development of secure and innovative prototypes.

Based on the knowledge gained, recommendations for further action will be derived and course offerings for the textile and garment industry will be developed, thus ensuring intensive interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral knowledge transfer.

The SEKT project constitutes of an interdisciplinary team of scientists (scientific researchers) and companies. In addition to three professors, a team of three research assistants and 12 project partners – ranging from Start-Ups to associations and large cooperations – will be involved.

The project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (funding code: FKZ:13FH180PX6) started in December 2018 and will conclude in November 2021.

It consists of five phases:

  • + Analysis of current system solutions
  • + Investigation of specific systems
  • + Adaptation of practice-relevant safety concepts
  • + Development of smart demonstrators
  • + Knowledge and technology transfer

From automated communication with a washing machine and intelligent anti-theft protection to vital-sign monitoring – technology has the ability to make textile products “smarter”.

Notably, textiles and clothing are one of the oldest industries and are essential to our everyday life. Whilst our ancestors used garments to protect themselves against environmental impacts, thereby facilitating the highly developed human civilization; textiles and clothing also paved the way for globalization in the shape of the Silk Road, connecting different societies across different continents.

Smart Textiles

The development of man-made fibers gave access to new possibilities outside of traditional clothing. The past decades have seen advances in technical textiles, enriching a variety of industries with product innovations – here Germany is regarded as an innovation engine and world market leader. From underwear, interior design and lightweight construction facilitating e-mobility, to the rotors of wind power peripheries supporting the energy revolution – even though often invisible, textiles make an important contribution in our lives.

Facilitated by the Internet of Things, textiles evolve with integrated electronic components, triggering the next revolution in textile and clothing technology. Such textile-based products can be summarized under the term of Smart Textiles. Smart Textiles are able to interact with their surroundings and thus actively support the wearer. Especially when equipped with integrated electronic components, Smart Textiles are a significant topic for the future of the textile and garment industry. The booming market for wearables and the Internet of Things indicate the trend for smaller and portable devices. Experts are certain that Smart Textiles will assert their position, in consideration of megatrends such as connectivity, new work, health and individualization, by 2030.

Cyber Security

Cyber security is an area of research filled with tension. On one hand, Germany has cutting-edge research that surfaces fascinating and forward-looking projects. On the other hand, products with a large number of security gaps are brought onto the market that may be exploited by attackers without major effort. The knowledge for the development of secure products is however present in Germany: by following basic cyber protection issued by the German Federal Office for Information Security, many products could be realized more securely. Cyber security needs to be seen as an open topic since computer systems can be found in any industry. In the future, due to topics such as Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things, cyber security will penetrate all areas of life. This is why informatics and the area of cyber security cannot be seen as an autonomous area anymore, but as the basis of all future developments with the mission to transfer its know-how to all disciplines.

Aiming to take up this approach is the interdisciplinary research project SEKT. Within the project the faculties of the engineering and computer science at the Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences will link the fields of textile and clothing technology and IT security intensively. To do so, the SEKT project systematically investigates the integration and cyber security of electronic communication systems in smart textile products and develops practice relevant security connects and smart demonstrators.

The main objectives are scientific investigation of the cyber security of smart textile products, transfer of existing security concepts, and development of secure and innovative prototypes. Based on the knowledge gained, recommendations for further action will be derived and course offerings for the textile and garment industry will be developed, thus ensuring intensive interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral knowledge transfer.

„The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” “ Alan Kay, American computer scientist

Research at Albstadt-Sigmaringen University

For many years the area of textile and clothing technology in the faculty of engineering at Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences has carried out applied research in the areas of clothing and technical textiles as well as in the conception and production of complex modern textile products. Often this research is in cooperation with medium-sized, highly innovative companies, that can only endure in the global market due to their high-quality products and product innovations.

Encouraged by the development of the internet, the digitalization of our high-tech modern world has become a key technology of the future in the last 15 years. IT-security has become an important topic for internet users, due to web 2.0, social-media platforms and the rising exchange of audio and video files within personal communication networks. Our university was the first institution in Germany to tackle this important topic and offers a Bachelor of Science degree course in IT security since 2014. Since 2010, the faculty of computer sciences also manifests its international reputation in cyber security by means of the occupational training course Digital Forensics in cooperation with the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg and the Goethe University Frankfurt. The importance of cyber security will increase further following an increasingly interlaced world of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things.

The SEKT project perfectly combines longstanding competence in research and development at our university in conception, manufacturing and testing of modern complex textile products and technical textiles in the faculty of engineering with the future topic digitalization in everyday life in the faculties of engineering and computer sciences. In doing so the interdisciplinary cooperation within the university is strengthened and the network of research partners, of each contributing scientist and of companies and research institutions of different areas is expanded. Further, the project enables the research focus of IT-security and Industry 4.0 to deal with the very important future topic of data security in a world of the Internet of Things, especially so in the field of textile products, at a very early stage.

Protection from cyber-attacks and the responsible handling of electronic communication systems affects the entire textile and garment industry. Right now, IT systems that are not specifically tailored for the textiles industry are used without in-depth knowledge of their potentials and risks. Cyber security, however, creates trust and therefore contributes to the acceptance of innovations. This in turn, is a strategic factor for success in the entire industry.

News

Publications, Articles & Lectures

2019

13.11.2019  Lecture „A project to improve awareness for cyber security in smart textile applications" ITMC

13.11.2019  Lecture „IT-Sicherheit von smarten textilen Produkten - welchen Herausforderungen muss sich die Industrie stellen?" SmartX

19.09.2019  Lecture „IT Sicherheit & Smart Textiles - ein Blick auf die Herausforderungen bei smarten textilen Produkten" AG Smart Textiles

03.07.2019  Article „Forschungsprojekt verbindet smarte Textilien mit IT-Sicherheit“ avr Nonwovens & Technical Textiles

02.07.2019  Article „Interdisziplinäres Forschungsprojekt für mehr IT-Sicherheit in smarten Textilien“ SecuPedia

26.06.2019  Press Release „Interdisziplinäres Forschungsprojekt verbindet smarte Textilien mit IT-Sicherheit“

13.06.2019  Lecture „Cyber Security & Smart Textiles“ Autex

03.04.2019  Lecture „Textil & Informatik – Die smarte Welt von morgen“ VDI Zollern-Baar

28.03.2019  Workshop „Smart Textiles & Cyber Security“ HoGent, Belgien

27.03.2019  Lecture „SEKT: IT Sicherheit von Kommunikationssystemen in smarten textilen Produkten“ Technischer Ausschuss Gesamtmasche

18.03.2019  Article „Der Spion im Shirt“ BMBF

07.03.2019  Lecture „Evaluation of Cyber Security of Electronic Communication Systems in Smart Textiles“ BIT’s 5th Annual World Congress of Smart Materials, Rome

01.03.2019  SEKT wird „Projekt des Monats“ auf der Website des Programmes „Forschung an Fachhochschulen“ BMBF

15.02.2019  Article „Forscherteam untersucht IT-Sicherheit bei smarten Textilien“ Südwest Presse

14.02.2019  Article „Verräterische Klamotten: Forscherteam untersucht IT-Sicherheit bei smarten Textilien“ Zollern-Alb-Kurier

2018

11.2018  Der Förderbescheid für das Forschungsvorhaben SEKT wird der HS Albstadt-Sigmaringen zugestellt

„Innovationen geben der Zukunft eine Zukunft.“ Prof. Dr Quadbeck-Seeger, deutscher Chemiker

Implementation

Research Questions, Study & Results

The following central research question arises for the interdisciplinary SEKT project: How can a new product of the textile and garment industry be developed by a person without prior specialist knowledge in the field of cyber security without violating data protection requirements or opening security gaps?

During the project the following questions should be answered:

  • Which electronic communication systems are used within textile products? What purpose do these systems have? What do consumers and users know about these systems?
  • How are the electronic communication systems integrated within the textile products? Which possibilities exist to manipulate already integrated components? How can these be identified and prevented?
  • Are there possibilities to register an attack on an electronic communication system? How can the system administrator be alerted? Which counter attacks can be introduced? How can users identify and if needed suspend electronic communication systems?
  • How can a secure product for critical application areas such as healthcare or personal protective equipment be designed? In the Internet of Everything, how should an electronic communication system function reliably? How should textile protection systems for electronic components be designed to protect against environmental influences?
  • What possibilities exist to track product history or customer behavior by means of electronic communication systems? What is the scope of currently employed systems and how can these systems be made secure from an IT point of view?
  • How can a product be realized that is as counterfeit-proof as possible?
  • How can the new challenges of transparency, post-privacy and privacy protection be mastered?

Survey

The contribution of the industry is needed in order to validly answer these questions. Therefore, you will soon find our survey about smart textiles here. This survey is mainly aimed at companies of the textile and clothing industry. After completion and analysis of the survey you will then find an overview of the gained insights as well as the option to download the study here.

„Don’t find fault, find a remedy.“ Henry Ford, Entrepreneur

Team

Professors, Staff & Partners

At this point we would like to briefly introduce ourselves as an interdisciplinary project team.

  • Prof. Manuela Bräuning Project coordination and project management in the field of textiles and clothing Profil

  • Désirée Göbel Academic employee in the field of textiles and clothing

  • Nele Schäfer Academic employee in the field of textiles and clothing

  • Prof. Holger Morgenstern Project management in the area of IT security Profil

  • Prof. Dr. Martin Rieger Project management in the field of computer engineering and digital forensics Profil

  • Tobias Scheible Academic employees in the field of IT security Profil

We are also supported by students from both faculties in the form of project work and theses. If required, our team also receives support from student and academic assistants.

Göbel, Schäfer, Prof. Dr. Rieger, Scheible, Prof. Morgenstern, Prof. Bräuning

From left to right: Göbel, Schäfer, Prof. Dr. Rieger, Scheible, Prof. Morgenstern, Prof. Bräuning

„If we don't work together, we won't find a solution to our problems.“ Dalai Lama

The challenges in a research project like SEKT can only be successfully met by a strong consortium of project partners with different backgrounds and know-how.

Cooperation Partners

HUGO BOSS AG

Metzingen-based HUGO BOSS AG is one of the leading companies in the premium segment of the global apparel market, focusing on the development and marketing of high-quality fashion and accessories for men and women.

www.hugoboss.com

Autoflug GmbH

Autoflug GmbH, based in Rellingen, concentrates on innovative solutions for the rescue and safety of people. In particular, the latest generation of Smart Textiles is to be significantly improved through the integration of the latest IT security technology in order to use it in the market for security technology and emergency medicine. IT security and data protection are success factors that will enable Smart Textiles to assert itself in these areas as well.

www.autoflug.com

Medi GmbH & Co KG

Medi GmbH & Co KG, headquartered in Bayreuth, Germany, is a manufacturer of medical devices that serves customers worldwide in the fields of phlebology, hospital, foot care and orthopaedics, particularly in the field of compression products, which are used both therapeutically and in the sports and lifestyle segment. Medi is interested in expanding its own product range to include smart textiles with integrated sensors or actuators, but would like to do so in the sensitive medical field only on the basis of sound IT security.

www.medi.de

Interactive Wear AG

Interactive Wear AG, based in Starnberg, Germany, is one of the leading companies for Smart Textiles applications, especially in the field of integrating electronic functions and components. Interactive Wear AG supports Smart Textiles from the initial idea through to marketing, from consulting and customer-specific development projects to the production and delivery of series products. For marketing, especially in connection with cloud services, viable IT security solutions must be guaranteed which are to be evaluated and further developed as part of the project.

www.interactive-wear.de

MeetNow! GmbH

MeetNow! GmbH from Albstadt is an expert for digital transformation who would like to contribute their knowledge and experience from complex IT projects to the new topic Smart Textiles. The full-service provider provides customers with comprehensive advice and guides them through the individual digital transformation process in a spirit of partnership.

www.meetnow.eu

Sodge IT GmbH

sodge IT GmbH from Balingen supports companies in the implementation of customer-specific software development projects. The experienced employees of the company create software mainly in C/C++/C# for use on different hardware. They support their customers in bringing products into the net as well as to consider all current requirements at security and reliability. The structured mode of operation and its automated processes from creation to quality assurance and continuous deployment help to achieve this. Constant further training and exchange guarantee the high quality and topicality of software development. They are not afraid to leave the beaten track and test new paths.

www.sodgeit.de

Netzwerkpartner

Südwesttextil e. V.

The Südwesttextil business and employers' association based in Stuttgart has around 200 member companies with 24,000 employees from a wide variety of fields of application in the textile and clothing industry and thus covers both the fashion and technical textiles sectors. Südwesttextil is politically and economically involved and maintains a stable network with a wide range of partners from SMEs to corporations.

www.suedwesttextil.de

WIWeB (Bundeswehr)

The WIWeB, headquartered in Erding, is the Bundeswehr Military Science Institute for Materials and Supplies and a competence centre for security and new technologies with the core areas of research and development, military materials in use and quality assurance. Among other things, it is responsible for all Bundeswehr clothing. It sees smart textiles as a future field with great challenges and supports the project by arranging contacts.

www.baainbw.de/wiweb

IHK Reutlingen

The Institute for Knowledge Management and Knowledge Transfer at the Reutlingen Chamber of Industry and Commerce is also in charge of the Technical Textiles Cluster in the Tübingen-Reutlingen-Zollernalb region. The cluster networks more than 50 companies and institutions with the aim of combining regional competences and promoting groundbreaking innovations. Interdisciplinary cooperation is also promoted in a future-oriented way. The project aims to intensively use the existing networks at the Reutlingen Chamber of Industry and Commerce with representatives from science and industry for the interdisciplinary exchange and dissemination of new technologies.

www.cluster-technische-textilien.de

Technologiewerkstatt Albstadt

The Technology Workshop Albstadt is the founder and network centre of the Zollernalbkreis with the focus on digitisation and textiles. It accommodates numerous start-ups and together with the scientific-technical base Albstadt is committed to the education of young people.

www.technologiewerkstatt.de

IVGT e.V.

The Industrial Association for Finishing - Yarns - Fabrics - Technical Textiles based in Frankfurt am Main represents more than 60% of German manufacturers along the entire textile chain. By actively participating in projects at universities, technical colleges, universities and the 16 German textile research institutes, the IVGT ensures the transfer of know-how on an interdisciplinary and cross-sector basis and makes a significant contribution to maintaining and strengthening the framework conditions for German textile producers.

www.ivgt.de




We also cooperate with the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg and the Faculty of Law of the University of Hamburg.

Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg

The Chair of Computer Science 1 / IT Security Infrastructures at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, represented by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Felix Freiling, supports the project with know-how and the cooperative supervision of doctoral theses.

University of Hamburg

The Faculty of Law of the University of Hamburg, represented by Prof. Dr. jur. Marion Albers, offers a cooperation for the field "Information and Communication" in the future field Internet of Everything.

Survey

Smart Textiles & IT Security Survey

Welcome to our website! We are pleased that you are taking the time to participate in our Smart Textiles survey.

The survey serves the research project SEKT, which deals with the integration and IT security of electronic communication systems in smart textile products. With your participation you help us to better understand the market and to conduct more targeted research.

The duration of the survey is about 10 minutes and is divided into five sections. Your details are, of course, anonymous.

Are you interested in the results? After the survey you can register and we will send you the results.

Which area do you assign yourself to?
Manufacturer

Prducer of products or accessories

Retailer

Seller of textile products

Consumer

Users of textile products

Are you working on Smart Textiles products?

Definition Wearables and Smart Textiles

By wearables we mean portable computer systems that are worn on the body. Examples are Smart Watches, Fitness Bracelets/Tracker, ....

Smart textiles and e-textiles (electronic textiles), on the other hand, are textile products in which electronic components are integrated. Examples are heatable clothing, shirts with measurement of vital parameters, illuminated backpacks, ...

Are your smart textile producs generating data?

How does the demand for smart textiles products look like?

How large is your overall product range?

Where is the main sales region for your products?

multiple selection possible

What´s your opinion regarding digitisation?

Definition Digitization

The term digitisation refers to the changes in processes, objects and events resulting from the increasing use of computer-assisted devices and their networking.

How do you sell your products as a company?

Do you get enough product information from manufacturer side?

Do customers ask for information on the topic IT security during sales talks?

Definition of IT security

IT security has the protection of electronically stored information and its processing as a goal. This protects information from dangers such as unauthorized access or manipulation. In contrast to this, data protection is about the protection of personal data against misuse.

How big is the demand for smart textiles products on consumer side?

  • No demand
  • High demand

What´s your opinion regarding digitisation?

Definition Digitization

The term digitisation refers to the changes in processes, objects and events resulting from the increasing use of computer-assisted devices and their networking.

Do you own wearables or smart textiles?

Definition Wearables and Smart Textiles

By wearables we mean portable computer systems that are worn on the body. Examples are Smart Watches, Fitness Bracelets/Tracker, ….

Smart textiles and e-textiles (electronic textiles), on the other hand, are textile products in which electronic components are integrated. Examples are heatable clothing, shirts with measurement of vital parameters, illuminated backpacks, …

When did you buy the product?

Please describe the connection/ implementation of product and smart feature:

What´s your opinion regarding digitisation?

Definition Digitization

The term digitisation refers to the changes in processes, objects and events resulting from the increasing use of computer-assisted devices and their networking.

Your are are…

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Foto Prof. Manuela Bräuning - Forschungsprojetk SEKT