Showing posts with label German Government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label German Government. Show all posts

Thursday, 5 May 2016

German Government Launches Test Plan For Security Routers


In order to ensure that routers that individuals and small businesses purchase are safe, the Bundesamtes für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI), part of the German Ministry of the Interior, today a comprehensive test plan ( pdf ) launched broadband routers.

The test plan, especially for Internet service providers and manufacturers intended, which describes a secure router to meet.In this way, potential buyers can more easily compare models in the field of security with each other. According to the BSI, the security of a router, an important factor when choosing a particular manufacturer or type. The German federal government has recently abolished the so-called router obligation. Thereby German internet users can choose yourself which soon modem and router that they want to use their broadband connection.

"Routers are a central part in the digitalization and networking. They are the heart of the home network, but protect at the same time against Internet threats. The abolition of the router obligation have internet August this this year more choice in choosing their router. users should make use of this by looking at the safety when choosing a router, "said Arne Schönbohm, head of the BSI.

In the test plan different parts are discussed, such as the presence of security measures. Thus, each router must sort the BSI have a firewall and there should be no default port forwarding enabled. In addition, made several recommendations, such as the presence of an automatic update feature. Furthermore, the test plan contains examples of common vulnerabilities and attack scenarios.

Tuesday, 24 November 2015

German Government: TrueCrypt Still Suitable For Encryption


The popular encryption software TrueCrypt is still suitable for encrypting files, according to the German government on the basis of study (pdf) conducted by the renowned Fraunhofer Institute. Last year the decision makers of the software to cease support.

Also, the use of the encryption software was not recommended. The German Federal Office for Security in Information Technology, part of the German Ministry of the Interior, therefore, gave the Fraunhofer Institute therefore to investigate the commission for vulnerabilities in TrueCrypt. The encryption software was in fact also recommended for encrypting confidential information.

According to the researchers TrueCrypt still suitable for encryption of data on storage media. "Especially in mobile scenarios, such as the use of laptops or USB storage, disk encryption or encrypted containers are very important for protecting critical data," said Thomas Caspers of the BSI. The researchers do say that there are several problems. For example, the use of cryptography in TrueCrypt is not optimal.

Nevertheless, the researchers do not give negative advice. Caspers according to the study provides a sound basis for determining the safety that can provide TrueCrypt and derivatives. Thus, in Germany a customized version of TrueCrypt developed called Trusted Disk. In addition, the research may help to improve these programs, according to the BSI.