Lenovo, secunet and Cloud&Heat Technologies introduce turnkey solution for highly secure digital infrastructures
October 6, 2021 - Lenovo, secunet Security Networks AG and Cloud&Heat Technologies GmbH are jointly launching an energy-efficient turnkey solution for highly secure digital infrastructures called SecuStack Titan. The product combines hardened hardware and software and is especially designed for the strict security requirements of critical infrastructures (CRITIS). As a fully configured solution, SecuStack Titan combines scalable computing power with maximum IT security and sustainability. To achieve this, the three compa-nies rely on proven components, such as the SecuStack cloud operating system and the energy-efficient, liquid-based Lenovo Neptune cooling system. Cloud&Heat Technologies sets up and installs the SecuStack Titan at customers’ sites, and if required, can take over the full operation.
The security requirements for digital infrastructures in both public and private sectors are constantly increasing. When it comes to protecting business critical applications and sensitive information, it’s not just in-house standards or specifications from customer contracts which apply. Above all, there are sectors with highly regulated critical infrastructures that must also meet strict legal security requirements. With SecuStack Titan, the world's leading provider of hot water-cooled systems, Germany's leading cybersecurity company, and the developers and opera-tors of the world's most sustainable digital infrastructures - Lenovo, secunet and Cloud&Heat Technologies - have developed a turnkey, scalable, and energy-efficient basis for precisely this scenario.
"Our critical infrastructures, such as hospitals, energy providers, or government institutions, are in need of particular protection as they ensure the ability of our society to function and to act," said Kai Martius, CTO at secunet. He went on to add that "SecuStack Titan is a particularly convenient overall solution for the operators of critical infra-structures, since it meets even the highest security requirements off the shelf, and, therefore, without any additional effort for the customer."
Secure cloud operations with Yaook and SecuStack
SecuStack Titan's cloud environment relies on Yaook ("Yet another Openstack Kubernetes"), an open-source lifecycle management system developed by Schwarz IT with its STACKIT brand and Cloud&Heat Technologies. Yaook can also be used to manage and operate SecuStack. This is a security hardened version of OpenStack, developed by Cloud&Heat Technologies and secunet. As an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform, SecuStack securely provides resources for the operation of cloud applications. The operating system ensures strict tenant network separation and full encryption of stored user data while maintaining control over cryptographic keys.
"After SecuStack, as a software solution, SecuStack Titan as a holistic technology stack was the next logical step," said Marius Feldmann, COO at Cloud&Heat Technologies and CEO of SecuStack GmbH. "The Federal Office for Information Security is classifying more and more organizations as having critical infrastructures. This classification obligates companies to observe various IT security requirements, certifications and small-scale tasks. SecuStack Titan's overall concept significantly simplifies the whole process of fulfilling these requirements."
Security hardened Lenovo hardware
Security hardened Lenovo hardware, manufactured, integrated and tested at Lenovo's European manufacturing facility, serves as the physical foundation of the SecuStack Titan. The configuration includes controller, storage and computing servers, including monitoring hosts and firewalls. Customers can choose between different processor types including a version for hardware based storage encryption based on Intel’s SGX (Software Guard Extension). Operators of critical infrastructures also have the option to deploy a SmartNIC (Mellanox BlueField from NVIDIA) as an additional protection tool.
"At Lenovo, our goal is to pave the way for uncomplicated and secure digitilization, and together with our partners secunet and Cloud&Heat Technologies, we are pleased to enable operators of critical infrastructures to achieve just that," added Andreas Thomasch, Director HPC & AI at Lenovo.
Scalable and sustainable computing power for critical infrastructures
The modular design allows SecuStack Titan to scale from a stand-alone solution (Micro Data Center) to a data center with multiple racks. The experts at Cloud&Heat Technologies can also equip and connect several 40 foot containers with up to ten SecuStack Titans for the greatest possible flexibility and computing power. These data center containers feature energy-efficient liquid-cooling systems and are even suitable for outdoor operations under extreme climate conditions. Optionally, they can be used with the other two versions: While air-cooled SecuStack Titans are easier to scale, the liquid-cooled servers are particularly sustainable in operation. Among other things, operators can subsequently recover waste heat by feeding it into a heating or district heating network.
Installation, operation, and maintenance from a single source
Cloud&Heat Technologies is responsible for the turnkey configuration and installation of the SecuStack Titan digital infrastructure at customers’ sites. Installation includes connection to appropriate interfaces and burn-in tests. Sub-sequently customers have two options: Cloud&Heat Technologies can take over the monitoring, management and maintenance of the SecuStack Titan solution and thus complete operation or, if required, merely offer support to guarantee a secure handover to the customer's operations team.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$60 billion revenue Fortune Global 500 company serving customers in 180 markets around the world. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, we are developing world-changing technologies that power (through devices and infrastructure) and empower (through solutions, services and software) millions of customers every day and together create a more inclusive, trustworthy and sustainable digital society for everyone, everywhere. To find out more visit Website and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.
Über secunet – Schutz für digitale Infrastrukturen
secunet is Germany’s leading cybersecurity company. In an increasingly connected world, the Company’s combination of products and consulting assures resilient digital infrastructures and the utmost protection for data, applications and digital identities. secunet specialises in fields with particular requirements on security – such as cloud computing, IIoT, eGovernment and eHealth. With security solutions from secunet, companies can maintain the highest security standards in digitalisation projects and thus expedite their digital transformation.
Over 700 experts strengthen the digital sovereignty of governments, businesses and society. secunet’s customers include federal ministries, more than 20 DAX-listed corporations as well as other national and international organisations. The Company was founded in 1997. It is listed in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and achieved revenues of 285.6 million euros in 2020. secunet is an IT security partner to the Federal Republic of Germany and a partner of the German Alliance for Cyber Security.
