Urban Data - How Port Zero creates smarter cities
Smart cities are data-driven cities. Sensors everywhere capture how clean the air is, how traffic flows, how much energy is consumed or how environmental factors change. This information is consolidated by municipalities into Urban Data Platforms (UDP): digital hubs that collect, connect and make data usable.
The data is then passed on to citizens, authorities and companies to create the foundation for intelligent services. This enables smart applications to control traffic lights more intelligently, supply buildings more efficiently and make cities more livable.
However, with these opportunities comes increasing dependency. When data is manipulated or systems are attacked, it affects not just one single application but shakes the trust in the entire smart city.
Operators constantly face the same challenges:
- Scalability – How can millions of data points be processed in real-time?
- Resilience – What happens when sensors fail or attackers disrupt systems?
- Security – How can it be ensured that data is authentic and reliable?
- Compliance – How can requirements like GDPR, NIS2 or BSI-TR-03187 be met on a city-wide scale while running a cloud application compliant with ISO 27001 and BSI C5?
It's important for platforms to operate reliably and securely at all times or else benefits may quickly turn into risks.
Our Services – Urban Data from a Single Source
Port Zero combines expertise in three critical areas that form the backbone of secure Urban Data Platforms:
- Security – Uncovering vulnerabilities, developing protective measures, supporting building of sustainable structures using specialized tools:
- Penetration tests
- Information Security Management Systems (ISMS)
- Ongoing vulnerability management
- SOC integration
- System Integration and DevOps – Handling entire DevOps cycle for Urban Data Plaforms:
- CI/CD pipelines
- Monitoring & observability
- Automated deployment
- Software Development – Development of Urban Data Platforms:
- Integrating new use cases
- Connecting AI functionalities for interaction and analysis
CIVITAS/CORE – A Strong Foundation
To operate Urban Data Platforms, together with our partners from Stetig && Wandel, we rely on CIVITAS/CORE - an open-source based foundation developed collectively by numerous municipalities within the Civitas Connect e.V. association - to realize individual smart city projects.
We support municipalities construct and operate Urban Data Platforms. With our expertise, CIVITAS/CORE is more than just a toolkit – it’s an expandable foundation that integrates security, scalability and auditability from the very beginning.
- Setup and integration of CIVITAS/CORE into existing environments
- Further development and customization for specific requirements
- Operation and support during live use
What we offer - our portfolio for secure and future-proof Urban Data Systems:
- Penetration testing of smart city and IoT environments
- Consultation and design of secure platform architectures
- Setup and audit of Information Security Management Systems (ISMS)
- Ongoing vulnerability management
- Integration of security into DevOps processes
- SOC connection through partners
- Complete DevOps support: CI/CD, monitoring, deployment, operations
- Setup and development of CIVITAS/CORE for individual Urban Data requirements
Our Commitment to Smart Cities
We have already supported several cities and municipalities build secure Urban Data Systems. Here are a few highlighted projects:
- Support and consulting in the development of CIVITAS/CORE 2.0 with a focus on security and data protection – ensuring Security by Design from day one.
- Replacement of the old and implementation of a new Urban Data Platform based on CIVITAS/CORE for the City of Bonn.
- Further development of CIVITAS/CORE in collaboration with the City of Bamberg to update all platform components to the most current state.
Get in Touch & Learn More
Port Zero GmbH
Softwareentwicklung & IT Service
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 7e
10999 Berlin
Opening hours:
Mo-Fr 10am-6pm