The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and STACKIT, the cloud provider of Schwarz Digits from Neckarsulm, will be working more closely together in the future. The goal of the collaboration is to develop robust and secure cloud solutions that are also suitable for the federal administration.
Strategic cloud security for Germany and Europe
Digital government relies on cloud technologies. However, cloud computing also poses risks that must be assessed, particularly in the context of geopolitical challenges. Therefore, the BSI has developed a comprehensive cloud strategy: national and European cloud offerings are to be made competitive and public clouds from major international providers are to be securely usable in Germany.
In-depth analyses thanks to binding cooperations
To conduct detailed reviews of cloud solutions, instagram database the BSI uses binding cooperation agreements. These allow for the exchange of confidential information and detailed technical reviews. In addition to the new partnership with STACKIT, collaborations with SAP, Oracle, and Google Cloud already exist. A collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) is also planned.
Protecting sensitive data: Encryption as a key technology
A central focus is on the encryption of sensitive data. Data must be securely encrypted both during transmission and storage to prevent subsequent decryption (“store now, decrypt later”). This takes into account the future viability of cryptographic methods in light of increasingly powerful hardware and potential developments in quantum computing. Therefore, the BSI promotes the use of post-quantum cryptography, which is designed to be secure even against future technologies.
Secure data protection also with regard to cloud providers
A suitable security architecture with external key management ensures that even cloud providers cannot access plaintext data. This also protects data against legal requests from third countries, for example, under the CLOUD Act.
Diversity and sovereignty through strategic choices
The BSI’s cooperation agreements are not intended to facilitate award decisions, but rather to offer a broad selection of tested, secure cloud solutions. Through detailed knowledge of the offerings, risks are assessed and technological dependencies are identified. National and European control is a top priority.
Open source as a central pillar of IT security
Open source software continues to play a crucial role in the federal government’s IT strategy. The BSI supports strategic open source projects and ways for individual and teams to increase sales performance cooperates closely with the community, particularly with the Center for Digital Sovereignty (ZenDiS). A new Open Source Program Office (OSPO) at the BSI is intended to further consolidate and accelerate these activities.
BSI leadership emphasizes importance of cooperation
BSI President Claudia Plattner sees the cooperation as an important step toward making digital products and services independent and secure. STACKIT is viewed as a reliable partner that already successfully offers sophisticated cloud solutions.
BSI Vice President Thomas Caspers emphasizes list provider that the digitalization of administration is essential for government action. Control and security must be guaranteed at all times, especially in key areas such as encryption and access control.
The new cooperation between BSI and STACKIT makes a decisive contribution to the secure and sovereign use of cloud technologies – for a future-proof digital administration in Germany and Europe.