Thomas Wollinger

Thomas Wollinger

Wollinger has an impressive career background, starting in the field of IT security. He earned his Ph.D. with distinction at the Chair for Embedded Security at Ruhr University Bochum and co-founded the startup ESCRYPT, which grew into a world-leading company in automotive security. Later, ESCRYPT was acquired by Bosch, where Wollinger served as Vice President for Cybersecurity Solutions before transitioning to Bochum Economic Development.

Bochum: The Hub of Firmware Security Innovation and Collaboration

Bochum has emerged as the "place to be" for IT security due to its unique combination of top-tier research, innovative companies, and a vibrant start-up scene. The city is home to the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security at Ruhr University Bochum, one of Europe's leading research centers in this field. This academic excellence attracts top talent and fosters strong collaboration between academia and industry. Additionally, Bochum actively supports both startups and established companies in the cybersecurity sector, making the city a key hub for IT security in Germany. This talk highlights the top-tier research opportunities within Bochum and show-cases the ecosystems the companies within the region built together making in 'the place to be' for Firmware Security Research and Development.