Cyberagentur invites tenders for interdisciplinary research project
The Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH (Cyberagentur) is calling for entries for two competitions on Future Cybercrime on February 19, 2024. These competitions explore future developments with regard to the interplay of technological, cultural and structural aspects of cybercrime.
Cybercrime is a serious and growing problem in Germany, the extent of which can hardly be estimated due to the limited availability of reliable data. Private individuals, companies and public authorities are affected to varying degrees. There is a great need for tools to anticipate cybercrime and its development.
Against this background, the Cyberagentur’s call for proposals addresses the urgent need of law enforcement authorities for advanced pattern recognition and analysis as well as future analysis in the field of cybercrime. Previous reports such as Europol’s IOCTA report, the BKA’s Federal Cybercrime Situation Report and the BSI’s IT Security Situation Report focus on current developments. In terms of their remit, they do not take into account future trends or country-specific differences, such as cultural and structural conditions.
The aim is therefore to recognize future developments and manifestations of cybercrime in Germany and Europe at an early stage in order to act proactively and develop advanced investigative approaches. This makes it possible to conduct disruptive research based on this, which strengthens cyber security and the resilience of society as a whole and equips law enforcement authorities in the fight against cybercrime.
The advertised research contract is divided into two sub-projects. The competition in the first sub-project focuses on the early detection of global developments in cybercrime through pattern recognition and analysis. The aim is to develop an early warning system that takes into account the cultural and structural conditions of different countries. The competition in the second sub-project aims to produce forecasts of how cybercrime could develop in Germany over the next 5-15 years in the face of technological change. By taking cultural and structural factors into account, it is possible to make forecasts and draft options for action that are specifically tailored to national conditions.
The competition is divided into three phases for each sub-project. In phase 1, a short concept is to be created, followed by a detailed long concept in phase 2, which will be evaluated by a jury made up of representatives from the Cyberagentur, national security and science. The final phase 3 comprises the implementation of the most promising concept for each sub-project.
With these advanced research contracts, Germany is positioning itself at the forefront of cybercrime research. It is not only reacting to current threats, but also striving for future-oriented strategies and solutions.
The invitation to tender was published in the Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union with the award number 102877-2024: https://ted.europa.eu/de/notice/-/detail/102877-2024. The closing date for the call for tenders is 18.03.2024, 13:00.
Further information: https://www.cyberagentur.de/zck/