Cybersecurity: How do we protect the public sector?
The threat to the public sector is growing. In our news blog, we show how we can protect authorities and government infrastructure from cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity at the centre of #SCCON25. Image: Unsplash
Cybersecurity in the public sector is not just a technical issue, but a fundamental prerequisite for the ability of the state to act. Given the increasing number of cyberattacks on government institutions, it is clear that protecting public data and infrastructure is necessary not only for economic reasons, but above all for political and security reasons.
Threat level rises, trust declines
Government agencies and institutions are increasingly falling victim to cyberattacks. Several prominent cases illustrate the extent of the threat. In 2021, for example, the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld was temporarily incapacitated by a ransomware attack, and the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy was targeted by attackers with intelligence service backgrounds. The Bundestag has also been the target of large-scale attacks on several occasions.
Citizens are also increasingly aware of this gap. According to a Bitkom survey, only 23 percent of respondents consider public administration to be well prepared for cyber attacks. This contrasts with the 70 percent who consider preparation to be poor or inadequate. Trust in the digital resilience of the state is therefore low – a dangerous situation that jeopardizes the state's ability to act.
Protecting the public sector
To improve cybersecurity in the public sector, existing gaps must be closed with digital solutions and future-proof legislation:
Build modern IT infrastructures: Outdated systems and inadequately trained staff remain gateways for attacks. Taking stock of the existing IT landscape can be a first step toward targeted investment in cloud solutions, automated security processes, and AI-based protective measures.
Develop security requirements: Blanket requirements lead to inefficient use of resources. Instead, protection needs must be determined individually and appropriate levels of protection defined. Special institutions such as federal authorities must meet the highest security standards.
Cybersecurity at #SCCON25
Cybersecurity will be the focus of the Smart Country Convention 2025. Guests can expect a diverse program on the event stages, covering technical solutions as well as questions about the legal framework and the importance of digital sovereignty.
For those who would like to find out more in advance, Felix Kuhlenkamp, Head of Cybersecurity at the digital association Bitkom, will provide insights into the current threat situation and present concrete solutions for greater IT security in the free #SCCON25 webinar.
The webinar will be held in German language.
Click here to register for free: SCCON-Webinar: Risiko oder Resilienz: Grundlagen der öffentlichen IT-Sicherheit | Bitkom Akademie