A recent confidential report to the Federal Budget Committee, reported by Der Spiegel, issues a stark warning from the Federal Court of Auditors regarding significant security vulnerabilities within the federal government’s data centers and networks. The auditors assert that the IT infrastructure of the federal government is inadequately prepared for current threats.
The report indicates that the current security level of over 100 federal data centers is “insufficient” with fewer than ten percent meeting minimum standards. Notably, even backup power systems are deemed unprepared for crisis situations. The auditors emphasize that the lack of resilient data centers jeopardizes the continuity of critical governmental functions, including social welfare programs.
The Federal Court of Auditors is particularly critical of the “Cybersecurity Strategy” presented in 2021 by the then Federal Minister of the Interior, Horst Seehofer (CSU). The report alleges that the federal government failed to adequately analyze existing deficits, including personnel and expenditure needs. The Court recommends that the new federal government now undertake a thorough analysis of the existing security architecture, streamlining it and enhancing its efficiency to ensure rapid and effective responses to significant cyber incidents.
