
Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf Company Cyber Security Posture
hhu.deHeinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) is one of the younger higher education institutions in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia – founded in 1965. Since 1988 the university has carried the name of one of the city’s finest sons. Today around 35,000 students study at a modern campus under conditions ideally suited to academic life. As a campus university where everything is close together, all buildings including the University Hospital and the libraries are easily reachable. The university departments enjoy an excellent reputation due to a high number of collaborative research centres. Moreover, the state capital Düsseldorf provides an attractive environment with a high quality of life. Today, the HHU sees itself as a civic university ("Bürgeruniversität"). This characterization and mission is shaped by urban events and close proximity to the citizens, but also by the great commitment of individual citizens of Düsseldorf to the HHU.
Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf Company Details
heinrich-heine-universitat-dusseldorf
3577 employees
61413.0
none
Hochschulen und Universitäten
hhu.de
Scan still pending
HEI_3845251
In-progress

Between 200 and 800
This score is AI-generated and less favored by cyber insurers, who prefer the TPRM score.

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Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf Company Scoring based on AI Models
Model Name | Date | Description | Current Score Difference | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|
AVERAGE-Industry | 03-12-2025 | This score represents the average cybersecurity rating of companies already scanned within the same industry. It provides a benchmark to compare an individual company's security posture against its industry peers. | N/A | Between 200 and 800 |
Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf Company Cyber Security News & History
Entity | Type | Severity | Impact | Seen | Url ID | Details | View |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Düsseldorf | Cyber Attack | 100 | 7 | 09/2020 | UNI13917222 | Link | |
Rankiteo Explanation : Attack that could injure or kill peopleDescription: The computer network systems of Düsseldorf University Hospital were encrypted in the cyberattack in September 2020. Thre clinicians were knocked out of critical data which disrupted the operations and other services at the hospital. One of the patients at the hospital lost her life as the systems were down and the emergency patients had to be relocated to other sites. | |||||||
University of Düsseldorf | Data Leak | 60 | 3 | 02/2023 | UNI35214823 | Link | |
Rankiteo Explanation : Attack with significant impact with internal employee data leaksDescription: The data of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) has been stolen. 4,500 HHU members' personal information were stolen from a previous university service provider. Names, email addresses, and, in about 800 cases, so-called password hashes, are all contained in them. The number of persons affected who must take action is minimal because the data is approximately six years old but was just recently disclosed on the dark web. The server of a former IT service provider has been identified by university IT experts as the data's source; the vulnerability was quickly patched. |
Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf Company Subsidiaries

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) is one of the younger higher education institutions in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia – founded in 1965. Since 1988 the university has carried the name of one of the city’s finest sons. Today around 35,000 students study at a modern campus under conditions ideally suited to academic life. As a campus university where everything is close together, all buildings including the University Hospital and the libraries are easily reachable. The university departments enjoy an excellent reputation due to a high number of collaborative research centres. Moreover, the state capital Düsseldorf provides an attractive environment with a high quality of life. Today, the HHU sees itself as a civic university ("Bürgeruniversität"). This characterization and mission is shaped by urban events and close proximity to the citizens, but also by the great commitment of individual citizens of Düsseldorf to the HHU.
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Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf Cyber Security News
Stolen student accounts
The attack was carried out using stolen access data, which were used to gain access to the HHU E-exam platform. A security flaw in this system ...
Hospital ransomware attack leads to fatality after causing delay in care
Hospital ransomware attack leads to fatality after causing delay in care. A German woman died after Düsseldorf University Clinic's servers were ...
German hospital hacked, patient taken to another city dies
German authorities said Thursday that what appears to have been a misdirected hacker attack caused the failure of IT systems at a major hospital ...
Cyber Attack Suspected in German Woman’s Death (Published 2020)
The first known death from a cyberattack was reported Thursday after cybercriminals hit a hospital in Düsseldorf, Germany, with so-called ransomware.
The untold story of a cyberattack, a hospital and a dying woman
German prosecutors tried to prove that a ransomware attack on a hospital was to blame for someone losing their life. Their story is a warning.
First ransomware-related death reported in Germany | 2020-09-21
The Duesseldorf University Clinic in Germany was hit by a ransomware attack last week that forced staffers to direct emergency patients ...
Police probe lethal cyberattack on hospital
A ransomware attack on a German hospital delayed treatment for one woman and ultimately led to her death, a state Justice Ministry has ...
Fraunhofer IPMS and Partners Announce 10-Qubit Quantum Computer Prototype with Advanced CMOS Integration
Fraunhofer IPMS is working on QSolid, a quantum computer project based on superconducting quantum chips integrated with CMOS control logic.
Patient dies after ransomware attack reroutes her to remote hospital
A woman seeking emergency treatment for a life-threatening condition died after a ransomware attack crippled a nearby hospital in ...

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Cybersecurity Incidents
Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf CyberSecurity History Information
Total Incidents: According to Rankiteo, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf has faced 2 incidents in the past.
Incident Types: The types of cybersecurity incidents that have occurred include ['Cyber Attack', 'Data Leak'].
Total Financial Loss: The total financial loss from these incidents is estimated to be {total_financial_loss}.
Cybersecurity Posture: The company's overall cybersecurity posture is described as Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) is one of the younger higher education institutions in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia – founded in 1965. Since 1988 the university has carried the name of one of the city’s finest sons. Today around 35,000 students study at a modern campus under conditions ideally suited to academic life. As a campus university where everything is close together, all buildings including the University Hospital and the libraries are easily reachable. The university departments enjoy an excellent reputation due to a high number of collaborative research centres. Moreover, the state capital Düsseldorf provides an attractive environment with a high quality of life. Today, the HHU sees itself as a civic university ("Bürgeruniversität"). This characterization and mission is shaped by urban events and close proximity to the citizens, but also by the great commitment of individual citizens of Düsseldorf to the HHU..
Detection and Response: The company detects and responds to cybersecurity incidents through {description_of_detection_and_response_process}.
Incident Details

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Title: {Incident_Title}
Description: {Brief_description_of_the_incident}
Date Detected: {Detection_Date}
Date Publicly Disclosed: {Disclosure_Date}
Date Resolved: {Resolution_Date}
Type: {Type_of_Attack}
Attack Vector: {Attack_Vector}
Vulnerability Exploited: {Vulnerability}
Threat Actor: {Threat_Actor}
Motivation: {Motivation}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Title: {Incident_Title}
Description: {Brief_description_of_the_incident}
Date Detected: {Detection_Date}
Date Publicly Disclosed: {Disclosure_Date}
Date Resolved: {Resolution_Date}
Type: {Type_of_Attack}
Attack Vector: {Attack_Vector}
Vulnerability Exploited: {Vulnerability}
Threat Actor: {Threat_Actor}
Motivation: {Motivation}
Common Attack Types: As of now, the company has not encountered any reported incidents involving common cyberattacks.
Identification of Attack Vectors: The company identifies the attack vectors used in incidents through {description_of_identification_process}.
Impact of the Incidents

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Financial Loss: {Financial_Loss}
Data Compromised: {Data_Compromised}
Systems Affected: {Systems_Affected}
Downtime: {Downtime}
Operational Impact: {Operational_Impact}
Conversion Rate Impact: {Conversion_Rate_Impact}
Revenue Loss: {Revenue_Loss}
Customer Complaints: {Customer_Complaints}
Brand Reputation Impact: {Brand_Reputation_Impact}
Legal Liabilities: {Legal_Liabilities}
Identity Theft Risk: {Identity_Theft_Risk}
Payment Information Risk: {Payment_Information_Risk}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Financial Loss: {Financial_Loss}
Data Compromised: {Data_Compromised}
Systems Affected: {Systems_Affected}
Downtime: {Downtime}
Operational Impact: {Operational_Impact}
Conversion Rate Impact: {Conversion_Rate_Impact}
Revenue Loss: {Revenue_Loss}
Customer Complaints: {Customer_Complaints}
Brand Reputation Impact: {Brand_Reputation_Impact}
Legal Liabilities: {Legal_Liabilities}
Identity Theft Risk: {Identity_Theft_Risk}
Payment Information Risk: {Payment_Information_Risk}
Average Financial Loss: The average financial loss per incident is {average_financial_loss}.
Commonly Compromised Data Types: The types of data most commonly compromised in incidents are {list_of_commonly_compromised_data_types}.

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Entity Name: {Entity_Name}
Entity Type: {Entity_Type}
Industry: {Industry}
Location: {Location}
Size: {Size}
Customers Affected: {Customers_Affected}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Entity Name: {Entity_Name}
Entity Type: {Entity_Type}
Industry: {Industry}
Location: {Location}
Size: {Size}
Customers Affected: {Customers_Affected}
Response to the Incidents

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Incident Response Plan Activated: {Yes/No}
Third Party Assistance: {Yes/No}
Law Enforcement Notified: {Yes/No}
Containment Measures: {Containment_Measures}
Remediation Measures: {Remediation_Measures}
Recovery Measures: {Recovery_Measures}
Communication Strategy: {Communication_Strategy}
Adaptive Behavioral WAF: {Adaptive_Behavioral_WAF}
On-Demand Scrubbing Services: {On_Demand_Scrubbing_Services}
Network Segmentation: {Network_Segmentation}
Enhanced Monitoring: {Enhanced_Monitoring}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Incident Response Plan Activated: {Yes/No}
Third Party Assistance: {Yes/No}
Law Enforcement Notified: {Yes/No}
Containment Measures: {Containment_Measures}
Remediation Measures: {Remediation_Measures}
Recovery Measures: {Recovery_Measures}
Communication Strategy: {Communication_Strategy}
Adaptive Behavioral WAF: {Adaptive_Behavioral_WAF}
On-Demand Scrubbing Services: {On_Demand_Scrubbing_Services}
Network Segmentation: {Network_Segmentation}
Enhanced Monitoring: {Enhanced_Monitoring}
Incident Response Plan: The company's incident response plan is described as {description_of_incident_response_plan}.
Third-Party Assistance: The company involves third-party assistance in incident response through {description_of_third_party_involvement}.
Data Breach Information

Incident 2: Data Breach
Type of Data Compromised: {Type_of_Data}
Number of Records Exposed: {Number_of_Records}
Sensitivity of Data: {Sensitivity_of_Data}
Data Exfiltration: {Yes/No}
Data Encryption: {Yes/No}
File Types Exposed: {File_Types}
Personally Identifiable Information: {Yes/No}
Prevention of Data Exfiltration: The company takes the following measures to prevent data exfiltration: {description_of_prevention_measures}.
Handling of PII Incidents: The company handles incidents involving personally identifiable information (PII) through {description_of_handling_process}.
Ransomware Information

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Ransom Demanded: {Ransom_Amount}
Ransom Paid: {Ransom_Paid}
Ransomware Strain: {Ransomware_Strain}
Data Encryption: {Yes/No}
Data Exfiltration: {Yes/No}
Ransom Payment Policy: The company's policy on paying ransoms in ransomware incidents is described as {description_of_ransom_payment_policy}.
Data Recovery from Ransomware: The company recovers data encrypted by ransomware through {description_of_data_recovery_process}.
Regulatory Compliance

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Regulations Violated: {Regulations_Violated}
Fines Imposed: {Fines_Imposed}
Legal Actions: {Legal_Actions}
Regulatory Notifications: {Regulatory_Notifications}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Regulations Violated: {Regulations_Violated}
Fines Imposed: {Fines_Imposed}
Legal Actions: {Legal_Actions}
Regulatory Notifications: {Regulatory_Notifications}
Regulatory Frameworks: The company complies with the following regulatory frameworks regarding cybersecurity: {list_of_regulatory_frameworks}.
Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: The company ensures compliance with regulatory requirements through {description_of_compliance_measures}.
Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Lessons Learned: {Lessons_Learned}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Lessons Learned: {Lessons_Learned}

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Recommendations: {Recommendations}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Recommendations: {Recommendations}
Key Lessons Learned: The key lessons learned from past incidents are {list_of_key_lessons_learned}.
Implemented Recommendations: The company has implemented the following recommendations to improve cybersecurity: {list_of_implemented_recommendations}.
References
Additional Resources: Stakeholders can find additional resources on cybersecurity best practices at {list_of_additional_resources}.
Investigation Status

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Investigation Status: {Investigation_Status}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Investigation Status: {Investigation_Status}
Communication of Investigation Status: The company communicates the status of incident investigations to stakeholders through {description_of_communication_process}.
Stakeholder and Customer Advisories

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Stakeholder Advisories: {Stakeholder_Advisories}
Customer Advisories: {Customer_Advisories}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Stakeholder Advisories: {Stakeholder_Advisories}
Customer Advisories: {Customer_Advisories}
Advisories Provided: The company provides the following advisories to stakeholders and customers following an incident: {description_of_advisories_provided}.
Initial Access Broker

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Entry Point: {Entry_Point}
Reconnaissance Period: {Reconnaissance_Period}
Backdoors Established: {Backdoors_Established}
High Value Targets: {High_Value_Targets}
Data Sold on Dark Web: {Yes/No}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Entry Point: {Entry_Point}
Reconnaissance Period: {Reconnaissance_Period}
Backdoors Established: {Backdoors_Established}
High Value Targets: {High_Value_Targets}
Data Sold on Dark Web: {Yes/No}
Monitoring and Mitigation of Initial Access Brokers: The company monitors and mitigates the activities of initial access brokers through {description_of_monitoring_and_mitigation_measures}.
Post-Incident Analysis

Incident 1: Ransomware Attack
Root Causes: {Root_Causes}
Corrective Actions: {Corrective_Actions}

Incident 2: Data Breach
Root Causes: {Root_Causes}
Corrective Actions: {Corrective_Actions}
Post-Incident Analysis Process: The company's process for conducting post-incident analysis is described as {description_of_post_incident_analysis_process}.
Corrective Actions Taken: The company has taken the following corrective actions based on post-incident analysis: {list_of_corrective_actions_taken}.
Additional Questions
General Information
Ransom Payment History: The company has {paid/not_paid} ransoms in the past.
Last Ransom Demanded: The amount of the last ransom demanded was {last_ransom_amount}.
Last Attacking Group: The attacking group in the last incident was {last_attacking_group}.
Incident Details
Most Recent Incident Detected: The most recent incident detected was on {most_recent_incident_detected_date}.
Most Recent Incident Publicly Disclosed: The most recent incident publicly disclosed was on {most_recent_incident_publicly_disclosed_date}.
Most Recent Incident Resolved: The most recent incident resolved was on {most_recent_incident_resolved_date}.
Impact of the Incidents
Highest Financial Loss: The highest financial loss from an incident was {highest_financial_loss}.
Most Significant Data Compromised: The most significant data compromised in an incident was {most_significant_data_compromised}.
Most Significant System Affected: The most significant system affected in an incident was {most_significant_system_affected}.
Response to the Incidents
Third-Party Assistance in Most Recent Incident: The third-party assistance involved in the most recent incident was {third_party_assistance_in_most_recent_incident}.
Containment Measures in Most Recent Incident: The containment measures taken in the most recent incident were {containment_measures_in_most_recent_incident}.
Data Breach Information
Most Sensitive Data Compromised: The most sensitive data compromised in a breach was {most_sensitive_data_compromised}.
Number of Records Exposed: The number of records exposed in the most significant breach was {number_of_records_exposed}.
Ransomware Information
Highest Ransom Demanded: The highest ransom demanded in a ransomware incident was {highest_ransom_demanded}.
Highest Ransom Paid: The highest ransom paid in a ransomware incident was {highest_ransom_paid}.
Regulatory Compliance
Highest Fine Imposed: The highest fine imposed for a regulatory violation was {highest_fine_imposed}.
Most Significant Legal Action: The most significant legal action taken for a regulatory violation was {most_significant_legal_action}.
Lessons Learned and Recommendations
Most Significant Lesson Learned: The most significant lesson learned from past incidents was {most_significant_lesson_learned}.
Most Significant Recommendation Implemented: The most significant recommendation implemented to improve cybersecurity was {most_significant_recommendation_implemented}.
References
Most Recent Source: The most recent source of information about an incident is {most_recent_source}.
Most Recent URL for Additional Resources: The most recent URL for additional resources on cybersecurity best practices is {most_recent_url}.
Investigation Status
Current Status of Most Recent Investigation: The current status of the most recent investigation is {current_status_of_most_recent_investigation}.
Stakeholder and Customer Advisories
Most Recent Stakeholder Advisory: The most recent stakeholder advisory issued was {most_recent_stakeholder_advisory}.
Most Recent Customer Advisory: The most recent customer advisory issued was {most_recent_customer_advisory}.
Initial Access Broker
Most Recent Entry Point: The most recent entry point used by an initial access broker was {most_recent_entry_point}.
Most Recent Reconnaissance Period: The most recent reconnaissance period for an incident was {most_recent_reconnaissance_period}.
Post-Incident Analysis
Most Significant Root Cause: The most significant root cause identified in post-incident analysis was {most_significant_root_cause}.
Most Significant Corrective Action: The most significant corrective action taken based on post-incident analysis was {most_significant_corrective_action}.
What Do We Measure?
Every week, Rankiteo analyzes billions of signals to give organizations a sharper, faster view of emerging risks. With deeper, more actionable intelligence at their fingertips, security teams can outpace threat actors, respond instantly to Zero-Day attacks, and dramatically shrink their risk exposure window.
These are some of the factors we use to calculate the overall score:
Identify exposed access points, detect misconfigured SSL certificates, and uncover vulnerabilities across the network infrastructure.
Gain visibility into the software components used within an organization to detect vulnerabilities, manage risk, and ensure supply chain security.
Monitor and manage all IT assets and their configurations to ensure accurate, real-time visibility across the company's technology environment.
Leverage real-time insights on active threats, malware campaigns, and emerging vulnerabilities to proactively defend against evolving cyberattacks.
