Is the cybersecurity authority of Germany. The BSI is responsible for the digital information security of the state, business and society. Its tasks include the prevention and detection of cyber risks as well as appropriate responses to them. For citizens, entrepreneurs, authorities and politicians, the BSI is also a reliable point of contact and source of information on all aspects of cybersecurity. It belongs to the portfolio of the Ministry of the Interior.
The tasks of the BSI are defined by law (Act on the Federal Office for Information Security). For citizens, entrepreneurs and decision-makers, the BSI develops practice-oriented minimum standards and recommendations for action on IT and Internet security. The protection of government networks is also one of the tasks of the BSI. With the CERT-Bund (Computer Emergency Response Team for Federal Authorities) and the Bürger-CERT, the BSI has created contact points for cyber incidents.
The BSI is based in Bonn. A second location near Dresden is being planned and there are two liaison offices in Wiesbaden and Hamburg.
For many, the most important address of the BSI is www.bsi.bund.de – there you will find current news as well as a lot of information for citizens, business, science and administration.
The BSI founded the Alliance for Cyber Security in 2012 specifically for the exchange with companies and institutions. For operators of critical infrastructures, the BSI has a separate topic area.
The information and recommendations of the BSI are considered very reliable. Therefore, this glossary also refers to them frequently.
You are most likely to come into contact with the latest reports from the BSI. These are also passed on via press services and the various media such as daily newspapers and TV. Usually, these messages indicate current cyber risks. This can be a new virus, a large number of ransomware attacks, or particularly critical vulnerabilities in widely used operating systems or programs.
Use the information and recommendations of the BSI to reduce your personal cyber risks and those of your company. The BSI’s well-prepared content is available online:
The BSI for Citizens informs private individuals about risks, makes recommendations and offers, among other things, checklists and concrete tips: https://www.bsi-fuer-buerger.de
The Alliance for Cybersecurity is aimed at companies and offers a wide range of information even for non-members: www.allianz-fuer-cybersicherheit.de. The Cyber Incident Reporting Office is located on the website of the Alliance for Cyber Security: www.allianz-fuer-cybersicherheit.de/ACS/DE/Meldestelle/meldestelle.html
CERT Bund warns of security vulnerabilities, provides recommendations on how to fix them and supports the response to cyber incidents: www.cert-bund.de/overview
Citizen CERT warns citizens and small businesses about viruses and security breaches.
The BSI’s many other services include the BSI Magazine, the IT-Grundschutz Compendium and a hotline.
