Bochum
With over 40 professorial chairs, 900 students in the field of IT security, leading research at the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security and the Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy, Bochum offers a unique environment. In Bochum, science, business and talent development mesh seamlessly, making this city the German capital of cybersecurity.
Bochum
Accessibility & Location
Situated at the heart of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region, Bochum is one of Germany’s dynamic business locations.
The city offers outstanding transport connections and can be reached via the motorway, by rail and through the airports in Dortmund and Düsseldorf; cities such as Cologne, Essen and Düsseldorf are less than an hour away. For companies, that means: short routes to their partners and markets throughout the whole of Europe. For skilled workers: a high level of mobility in everyday life.
For us all: a location that creates the connections we need – economic, digital and human.
The City & Its Economic Power
Bochum is a city at the heart of the Ruhr area with over 375,000 residents. Around 15,000 companies – from innovative start-ups to international groups – have created more than 150,000 jobs. The city combines economic diversity with technological dynamism, investing specifically in infrastructure and future technologies.
Universities and research organisations ensure a continuous transfer of knowledge and a growing pool of qualified skilled workers – the ideal conditions for economic growth and innovation.
Universities & Talent
With seven universities and over 54,000 students, Bochum is one of the leading education and research locations in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Ruhr University Bochum with its more than 37,000 students is one of Germany’s largest universities; here, future issues such as IT security are heavily represented. Numerous graduates start their careers right here in the city – at research organisations, start-ups or established businesses. International study programmes lead talent from around the globe to Bochum, strengthening the transfer of knowledge between the scientific community and the field of business.
A Cybersecurity Cluster
Bochum is one of Europe’s leading locations for cybersecurity research and education. The world’s first antivirus software was developed here as early as 1985. Today, the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security with its more than 900 students offers Europe’s largest training programme for IT security. Over 40 professorial chairs and 200 researchers work on practical solutions, supported by the Cluster of Excellence CASA.
More than 30 spin-offs – including G DATA CyberDefense AG, PHYSEC and VMRay – were created in Bochum. Start-up incubators such as Cube 5 specifically promote spin-offs and the transfer of technology. Along with international partnerships, the close connection between research, business and the public sector makes Bochum both an attractive location for talent and companies and a test site for innovative security solutions.
Research
The Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security (HGI)
The Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security (HGI) at Ruhr University Bochum is Europe’s largest facility for education in the field of IT security. Around 900 students, over 40 professorial chairs and more than 200 researchers work together in an interdisciplinary environment – ranging from cryptography to hardware security. With the Cluster of Excellence CASA, over 30 successful spin-offs and close industrial partnerships, HGI has left a distinct mark on international research and the transfer of knowledge into practice.
The Cluster of Excellence CASA
Since 2019, HGI has been home to Germany’s only cluster of excellence in the field of cybersecurity research: the Cluster of Excellence CASA. Here, more than 100 researchers develop new approaches to complex digital threats – from cryptography to secure systems to user-friendly security. Over 500 publications and 12 ERC grants emphasize the cluster’s leading international position.
By supporting new talent and maintaining close partnerships with research organisations and the industry, the cluster ensures its impact is sustainable. January 2026 will see the launch of the the second funding phase of the Cluster of Excellence “CASA: Securing the Digital Society” for the years 2026-2032. During this time, CASA will receive funding of around €43 million from the German Research Foundation (DFG).
The Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy (MPI-SP)
The Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy has enhanced Bochum’s research landscape since 2019 and is dedicated to fundamental issues around data protection and IT security. Here, leading international researchers develop durable scientific solutions.
Together with Ruhr University and CASA, this has created a research association that is second to none and combines fundamental research, applied research and the development of new talent – thus strengthening Bochum’s position as a European centre for cybersecurity.
IT Security Study Programmes
In the early 2000s, Ruhr University Bochum was a pioneer when it came to IT security study programmes in Germany. Today, it offers bachelor, master and English-language programmes as well as a course of studies that can be completed in part-time via distance learning.
The university is Europe's largest education facility for IT security, with over 900 students in this field alone. Graduates are in high demand and find work in research and the industry or found their own companies – often supported by Bochum’s start-up infrastructure.
Businesses
G DATA CyberDefense
G DATA CyberDefense wasn’t started in a garage. It was started in a garden shed – where the first antivirus protection ever sold was created in 1987.
To the G-Data home page
Bochum has become a hotspot for IT security. We have an excellent network here.
Jessika Lüning
Head of Public Affairs
at G DATA CyberDefense
Headquarters & Origins
Founded in Bochum in 1985 by Kai Figge and Andreas Lüning. Now headquartered on the historical G DATA Campus, Königsallee 178 a in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia.
Employees & Reach
Over 500 employees work at the Campus in Bochum, with a global presence in over 90 countries through sales and support services.
Historical Milestones
1987: Development of the world’s first antivirus protection software .
To this day a pioneer in the combination of signature-based processes and AI technologies such as DeepRay® and BEAST.
Business Model & Products
Customers & Fields of Application
Protection for companies of all sizes in all sectors; critical infrastructures (including hospitals, airports); and private users. Over 35 years of experience in malware analysis and security solutions.
Awards & Competence
- Regularly receives excellent ratings from independent security institutes (e.g. AV-Test, AV-Comparatives)
- Qualified BSI APT Responder
- Quality labels such as “Cybersecurity Made in Europe” and the Comenius EduMedia Award
PHYSEC
PHYSEC’s technological developments are primarily used by businesses and councils to protect themselves. Millions of people depend on municipal and public power, gas and heat supplies, and outages can be extremely critical, which make them increasingly popular targets.
To the PHYSEC home page
Within the context of IT security, Bochum is one of the top 3 international locations. Ruhr University and the Max Planck Institute provide a foundation from which several companies have emerged, including us here at PHYSEC. But there are also several companies that have come to Bochum for that very reason.
Prof. Dr. Christian Zenger
CEO and co-founder of PHYSEC
Headquarters & Origins
Spun-off from the renowned Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security at Ruhr University Bochum. Founded in Bochum in April 2016 by Dr Christian Zenger and Dr Heiko Koepke.
Vision & Area of Expertise
A driving force in the field of secure digitisation and Iot/OT security. Combines physical and IT security with innovative electromagnetic sensor technology, AI threat intelligence and deep-tech research. All with the goal of digital autonomy for critical infrastructures.
Milestones & Awards
Winner of various innovation awards (e.g. the North Rhine-Westphalian Founder’s Award; the German IT Security Award; the Eco Internet Award; the Security Rockstars Award; the 2024 North Rhine-Westphalian Innovation Award).
Products & Solutions
- IoTree®: a platform for secure IoT administration (LoRaWAN, wM-Bus, NB-IoT) with regulatory compliance
- SEAL: sensor-based manipulation and integrity monitoring at device level
- Solutions for CNI, utility companies, smart cities that implement NIS-2, BSI, ENISA requirements in conformity with legal regulations
Customers & Fields of Application
Customers include energy, water and gas providers (e.g. Stadtwerke Bochum [Bochum’s department of public works], Gelsenwasser [infrastructure and utility company based in Gelsenkirchen]). With a focus on the secure digitisation of grids and the use of IoT in critical infrastructures
- (LoRaWAN, wM Bus, NB IoT) with regulatory compliance
- SEAL: sensor-based manipulation and integrity monitoring at device level
- Solutions for CNI, utility companies, smart cities that implement NIS-2, BSI, ENISA requirements in conformity with legal regulations
VMRay
Prevent, detect, react: unlike conventional virus protection programmes, VMRay automates possible and novel malware in an isolated IT environment: a “sandbox”.
The proximity to Ruhr University with its well qualified students and cutting-edge research at world-class level is important to us; it offers many opportunities for partnerships. Bochum is a great place – open, plain spoken, honest, down to earth. The city is just the right size; it’s embedded in a metropolitan region with over a million inhabitants and offers excellent infrastructure as well as many recreational and cultural offers. It’s the perfect place!
Dr. Carsten Willems
CEO & co-founder of VMRay
Headquarters & Founding
A Bochum-based limited liability company founded by Dr Carsten Willems and Dr Ralf Hund in 2013. Headquartered at Suttner-Nobel-Allee 7 in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia.
Focus & Technology
Global leader in hypervisor-based, agentless sandbox malware analysis for recognising and analysing targeted cyberthreats and phishing attacks.
Customers & Impact
Trusted by international groups, governments and SOC teams – used by Fortune-500 companies and in critical infrastructures around the globe.
Product Portfolio
- Malware sandbox (e. g. DeepResponse, TotalInsight, FinalVerdict): precise threat recognition & automation
- UniqueSignal: a proprietary threat intelligence feed to identify cybertrends at an early stage, introduced in June 2025
- Integration with SIEM, SOAR, EDR platforms allows seamless security automation.
Market Dynamics & Growth
Diversification from a malware sandbox expert to a threat intelligence provider strengthens subscription sales models. With a focus on market-leading autonomy and protection quality.
City Life
Affordable Housing
Bochum combines modern urban life with high-quality housing at a moderate cost. Family-friendly structures, a well developed public transport network and clear framework conditions for housing are features that set this location apart from the rest.
On average, fixed-price flats are much more affordable than privately financed offers. For international skilled workers, the city offers an attractive environment – with short commute times and a reliable infrastructure that ensure Bochum meets everyday needs.
Culture & Leisure
Bochum stands for cultural diversity, an urban lifestyle and high quality of life.
The Schauspielhaus theatre is one of Germany’s most renowned stages, while the musical Starlight Express has delighted international audiences for decades. In the summer, festivals dominate the urban landscape, including Bochum Total, one of Europe’s largest free music festivals; the Ruhrtriennale with its interdisciplinary selection of the fine arts; and the Zeltfestival Ruhr with its tents and cultural offers on the shores of Lake Kemnade.
An International Community
People from over 150 countries call Bochum their home – and this diversity characterises everyday life and the urban landscape. More than 6,500 international students and numerous researchers work and study here. English-language study programmes, graduate programmes and bi-lingual schools quickly open up opportunities for starting a career. International nursery schools, welcome initiatives and networks such as the International Engineers’ Meet-up provide places to meet and socialise with others.
Services
Businesses, investors, expats – Bochum supports all newcomers: the Bochum Office of Economic Development [Bochum Wirtschaftsentwicklung] provides advice on funding means, helps find office and commercial space and offers entry to the right networks. The Welcome Office accompanies those who are making a new start in the city – from first steps to successful integration. Creating an open urban society where skilled workers from around the world can gain a professional foothold and find a home – a plus for science, business and the community.
Philippe Skender Cybersecurity +49 234 61063-218 philippe.skender@bochum-wirtschaft.de