BMFTR sets new guard rails for cyber security research – Cyberagentur wants to take responsibility in the process
The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has published key points for a new federal government program for cybersecurity research and has announced that it will actively involve the Cyberagentur. The Cyberagentur welcomes the impetus, sees major thematic overlaps and is committed to clear responsibilities, effective transfer paths and strong community representation in the planned expert group.
The BMFTR has published the key issues paper “Cybersecurity – Research Policy Impulses” (as of February 2026). In it, the BMFTR announces that it will actively incorporate the expertise of the Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH (Cyberagentur) into the planned program.
The Cyberagentur expressly welcomes this strategic direction. From the Agency’s point of view, it is now important to shape the announced process in such a way that existing strengths of the federal government and the ecosystem are bundled and new activities are consistently geared towards impact. This applies in particular to subject areas in which the key issues paper formulates central aims and in which substantial activities by the Cyberagentur and other players already exist: secure and trustworthy AI in cybersecurity, future-proof cryptography including post-quantum approaches, security-by-design in communication systems, quantum communication, resilience of value and supply chains, securing critical infrastructures and mobility, as well as issues of research security and the responsible handling of dual-use.
The Cyberagentur rates the roadmap outlined in the key issues paper positively. It is crucial that roles, responsibilities and interfaces between the institutions involved are defined at an early stage so that priorities become operationally viable and resources can be deployed in a targeted manner. In particular, the planned involvement of an “expert group from the community” offers the opportunity to incorporate the perspectives of science, industry and practice in such a way that a strong implementation program is created.
“The key issues paper sets a sensible framework. It is now crucial to pool expertise, avoid duplicate structures and quickly transform research into robust, operational solutions. This requires research funding that is willing to take risks, clear priorities and an expert group that effectively integrates the perspectives of the community at an early stage,” says Prof. Dr. Christian Hummert, Research Director of the Cyberagentur.