IT Security for Public Authorities

NIS2 attaches great importance to security in the digital supply chain. Authorities and public institutions at federal level must therefore ensure that their service providers and suppliers also comply with cybersecurity standards. This means that public administrations must not only protect their own systems and processes, but also pay attention to securing their partners and service providers to keep an eye on the entire supply chain. Against this background, the selection of reliable partners with the necessary expertise in the public sector and the corresponding evidence in the form of relevant certifications and test certificates such as ISO 27001 or BSI C5 is of great importance.

To protect themselves against cybercrime, authorities and public institutions must develop and implement a comprehensive security strategy. This strategy should include both technical and organizational measures that are tailored to the specific requirements and risks of the public sector. Key elements of this strategy include regular security audits, continuous reviews of existing protective measures and timely updates to IT systems. Equally important are targeted training and awareness-raising programs for employees at all levels and for citizens who interact with the administration's digital services. These programs help to raise awareness of cyber threats and reduce the risk of successful attacks on public infrastructure.

The extent to which IT security can protect public authorities from attacks essentially depends on the type of attack and the protection solutions implemented. Cybercriminals see public administration as an attractive target for various types of attacks. One of the most common threats are DoS and DDoS attacks, which can impair the functionality of government online services. No less dangerous are ransomware and phishing campaigns aimed at stealing sensitive administrative and citizen data or extorting ransoms. This data often has a considerable value on the black market. Another challenge is posed by social engineering tactics, where attackers exploit human vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to confidential information or commit fraud within government structures. The actual effectiveness of the IT security measures implemented in public authorities can often only be fully assessed in the event of a real cyberattack.