The goal of the thesis is to develop a security-focused actor model based on the W3C Threat Model and to design a corresponding security framework for decentralized identities in industrial ecosystems.
As part of this master's thesis, you will develop a security framework for decentralized identities in Industry 4.0 scenarios and systematically derive security requirements for the various actors involved.
Familiarization with the fundamentals: Build a solid understanding of decentralized identity concepts (e.g., SSI) and connected Industry 4.0 architectures, and perform a thorough analysis of the W3C Decentralized Credentials Threat Model as the theoretical foundation.
Elicitation of actor requirements: Systematically derive and collect security requirements (requirements engineering) from the specific perspectives of different stakeholders in the Industry 4.0 context.
Design of an actor model: Develop a well-founded actor model as a central artifact that structures interactions, trust boundaries, and the derived security requirements, followed by a critical evaluation using practical industry use cases.

Currently enrolled in a master's program in Computer Science, Business Informatics, IT Security / Information Security, Industrial Engineering, Data Science, or a comparable field
Basic knowledge or strong interest in IT security, Identity & Access Management (ideally decentralized identities), or requirements engineering
Initial exposure to concepts such as Industry 4.0, IoT architectures, or distributed systems is a strong plus
Interest in innovative technologies, data-driven solutions, and applied research
A team-oriented, meticulous, and responsible working style, plus the ability to conduct independent scientific work according to methodological standards (e.g., Design Science Research)
Good command of English

Future-shaping work: Your master's thesis is not only an important part of your academic career but also an opportunity to work at the interface of research and industry on a relevant topic for the digital future.
Supervision and support: You will be closely supervised by our experienced experts, gain valuable insights, and further develop your thesis with our support.
Flexibility: Work where you are most productive—completely remote or on-site at our institute in Dortmund.
An open and creative working environment: You will join a committed team and have plenty of freedom for your own creative ideas or topic proposals.
Flat hierarchies and an open atmosphere that help you settle in quickly

Master's Thesis – Security Frameworks for Decentralized Identities (SSI) in Industry 4.0

Key skills