Economic and scientific protection
Many areas of German industry and science rank among the world leaders and are a popular target for espionage and sabotage by foreign state actors. Terrorism and violent extremism pose a serious threat too. At the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV), the prevention section (economic and scientific protection) serves as the single point of contact (SPOC) for companies and research institutions.
Mission and working methods
BfV carries out the statutory mission of preventive economic protection. By providing information to companies and research institutions and by raising their awareness, BfV helps them to effectively protect themselves against economic espionage and sabotage as well as against extremist and terrorist threats.
Our approach to preventive economic protection revolves around an in-depth dialogue with companies, research institutions, associations and initiatives. Furthermore, we work in close cooperation with other German security agencies, and we exchange information with the intelligence services in partner countries.
Specifically, preventive work is aimed at
- making threats easier to understand,
- presenting realistic threat scenarios and
- integrating the information and experience of companies and research institutions into the process of analysis.
Threat scenarios
Industry and science are faced with a variety of threats: Know-how and technologies are spied out, workflows and facilities are subject to disruption and stoppages. Moreover, companies and research institutions can become targets of inside or outside extremist attacks.
The intelligence services of foreign states or groups tasked by a state often have the resources required to commit complex attacks. However, the security measures taken by many companies and research institutions are often insufficient to detect and counter such attacks. This is where BfV’s expertise comes into play: its statutory mission is to shed light on the economic espionage and sabotage efforts by foreign states and to provide information about strategies and methods.
Companies and research institutions have recurrently been the targets of extremist attacks. Left-wing extremists in particular have repeatedly come to attention through their disruptive actions. Another threat to companies or to the general public may emanate from staff members who become radicalised.
Preventive approach
The aim of prevention is to make it as difficult as possible for actors to carry out their attacks. Experience has shown that this aim is best achieved where, in a process-oriented and holistic manner, a lot of thought goes into how risks can be minimised. The first step to that end is to identify the relevant company and research data through a risk analysis.
Processes also have to be considered in view of possible attacks. Important questions in this respect include: Where could the greatest damage be done? Who might be interested in my data? What forms of attack might be possible?
The answers to these questions form the basis for choosing and implementing the appropriate protective measures. Holistic prevention applies to all areas: physical security, cyber security, the choice of staff and business partners as well as topics such as a security-sensitive leadership culture and a high level of employee satisfaction.
Members of staff play a key role when it comes to prevention. They may become perpetrators, but often they are also among the first to notice if something is amiss. This is where awareness-raising and training activities start, teaching people what safe behaviour at their workplace looks like.
Information sheets on economic protection
The information sheets on economic protection provide information about threats to the economy, science, politics and administration, regardless of the occasion. Basic recommendations for action to increase the level of protection are also formulated.
The sheets are particularly suitable as an accompanying handout for awareness-raising and training measures. They are available in German and English and are available both as downloads and as print copies.
