Parliamentary evening organised by Bundesdruckerei

Our member Bundesdruckerei hosted a parliamentary evening centred around the question:
‘Geopolitical situation and new technologies - what about cyber security?’

Stefan Hofschen already summarised the challenges in his opening speech:
In times of AI-generated videos in election campaigns, emerging quantum computers that can crack encryption - the threat situation has not only become greater, but also more complex. Europe must become more independent and invest in its cyber security. The state is not just a regulator, but an active player.

In the panel discussion that followed:

Friederike Dahns (Head of Cybersecurity Department at the BMI)
John Reyels (CDO at the Federal Foreign Office)
Marc Henrichmann (MP)
Lena-Sophie Müller (Managing Director of D21)
Konstantin von Notz (MP)

John Reyels warns that every digitisation step - whether smart homes, e-cars or home offices - also increases the attack surface for cyber activities. As set out in the coalition agreement, new implementation paths must be realised so that we are secure and prepared for our future.

Lena-Sophie Müller emphasised that there is a lack of expertise, education and genuine cooperation between the federal, state and local authorities. Citizens in many places are questioning the state's ability to protect them - a signal that we must all take seriously.

The parliamentary evening organised by the Bundesdruckerei shows us that we are a long way from reaching our goal and that the issue is more important than ever. Germany and Europe must act decisively.