DeepSec 2024 Talk: Differences in Focus on Cybersecurity in Smart Home Devices between Research and Practice – Dr. Edith Huber & Dipl. Ing. Albert Treytl
This meta-study of scientific security journals and a user survey examines the most common cybersecurity threats and solutions for smart home devices. But do the researched topics correspond to the security threats encountered in practice? This talk will explore the tension between research interests and practical applications, and present opportunities for improving the cybersecurity of smart home devices.
We asked Edith and Albert a few more questions about their talk.
Please tell us the top facts about your talk.
- The role of cybercrime in smart home devices.
- How vulnerable are we?
- Cyber security options in this context.
- The difference between research and practice in smart home devices.
How did you come up with it? Was there something like an initial spark that set your mind on creating this talk?
These aspects were investigated as part of the ARES research project. We always wondered whether technical security research and reality matches and started a project. Here are the results.
Why do you think this is an important topic?
Increasing digitalisation makes our homes and flats more and more connected and part of the Internet of Things. A lot of benefits but also a rising need to better protect ourselves against attacks.
Is there something you want everybody to know – some good advice for our readers, maybe?
Is our attention to security of Smart Home devices sufficient?
A prediction for the future – what do you think will be the next
innovations or future downfalls for your field of expertise
/ the topic of your talk in particular?
Artificial intelligence will have a significant impact on cyber security. Existing and functioning measures need to be reconsidered.
Dr Edith Huber is a senior researcher in cyber criminology and security research. She studied at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Vienna and has been employed at University of Continuing Education Krems since 2006. She can draw on many research and teaching papers in security research.
She is also a reviewer for research programmes at the European Commission and for journals in IT security research.
Albert Treytl is a senior researcher in communication technologies and security. His research focused on security and communication for resource limited devices in distributed systems and IoT. He is head of the Center for Distributed Systems and Sensor Networks and deputy head of the Department for Integrated Sensor Systems at the University for Continuing Education Krems (Danube University Krems). His research is dealing with distributed data management and processing in sensor networks and integrating sensor systems. This comprises securing sensor networks, distributed energy optimization in industrial and office buildings, as well as integration of sensors in intelligent traffic systems. Recent research is on embedded intelligence, digital twins and applications of AI methods for model predictive control strategies. He is author of over 100 peer reviewed scientific publications and leader of multiple national and international projects. Aside from this, he is engaged in various technical committees (IEEE, CEN TC 247 WG4, IEEE1588 standardisation), scientific conferences, and is co-lecturer at the Vienna University of Technology.