Certitude in ZIB and Ö1 about IT-Security in Households

Together with the Federal Office for Information Security in Germany (BSI), Certitude conducted a study on IT security in private households. In this context, Marc Nimmerrichter, Managing Partner of Certitude Consulting, was a guest on several ORF programs last weekend.

He emphasized the importance of IT security in the private sphere and cited specific examples of attacks in private households. What’s particularly striking is that the attacker is very often a spouse or ex-partner. The dependence on individuals with technical know-how and full access makes many people vulnerable. This becomes especially apparent after a separation: accounts stop working, private messages are intercepted, or the heating is deactivated without permission via an app.

With the increasing connectivity of digital devices, the attack surface in households grows significantly. Many protective mechanisms exist technically, but are not consistently used in everyday life or are not implemented in a way that is sufficiently understandable for users. This is precisely why “Security by Default” and “Usable Security” are important approaches in this environment. Security must not only be technically implemented, but also practical and applicable without in-depth technical knowledge.

The EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) will place greater responsibility on manufacturers to implement security requirements in a structured and transparent manner.

Watch and listen to the contributions:

ZIB (ORF 1):
Contribution available at on.orf.at

Ö1 Morgenjournal:
Contribution available at oe1.orf.at