Germany needs cyber security experts, but also a population that moves competently and safely in the digital space. The BSI can direct efforts in this direction, but needs the commitment of all actors – not least the citizens.
Cybersecurity education is important, affirms Paolo Atzeni, head of skills development at the Italian National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN). On the one hand, future cyber security experts would have to be trained, but all other citizens would also have to deal with the topic. After all, they are all users – and therefore the weakest link in the chain. Therefore, a large-scale plan is needed.
Such is the vision of the Cybernation of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). The president of the authority, Claudia Plattner, confirmed at the federal government’s digital summit: “We see ourselves in the role of coordinator.” But everyone has to “do it”.
Enlightened citizens
Prof. Dr. Christoph Meinel, director and managing director of the Hasso Plattner Institute, believes the word “enlightenment” is appropriate. “We all think we can handle the devices,” says Meinel. But very few people know what lies behind the technologies and how software works.
Dr. Bettina Uhlich, chairwoman of the executive committee of VOICE – Federal Association of IT Users, explains: “We already have a lot, it now needs to be played out and networked with each other.” At the same time, she suggests that companies should encourage their employees to follow her on the to share the knowledge they have learned at work with their private environment.
