Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has called on operators of critical infrastructure facilities to do more for security. The SPD politician told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that you would have to make "massive investments" in order to set up multiple structures and have more backup systems if the main systems failed. "The operators must arm themselves comprehensively against dangers such as natural disasters, terrorism, sabotage, but also human error," the minister warned in the "Süddeutsche Zeitung".
The destruction of the Baltic Sea pipelines and the attacks on Deutsche Bahn clearly showed "that the threat situation has changed. We have to prepare for all conceivable scenarios and continue to step up protective measures." That's why the police will be much more present at sea, she told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper".
Complete protection is hardly possible
Critical infrastructure includes facilities from the energy, transport, water, food, state and administration, health, information technology and telecommunications sectors. Faeser confirmed that she wants to present key points for a new Kritis umbrella law this year. It is intended to stipulate how operators can protect themselves better and when they must report an incident. At the same time, Faeser admitted that it would not be possible to "fully protect 34,000 kilometers of railway lines and millions of cable kilometers with cameras, sensors or even police officers".
"The protection of our critical infrastructure has the highest priority," said Faeser of the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". "The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine also marks a turning point in internal security. We are preparing for this."
The public is also asked
The Green politician Konstantin von Notz, who is also chairman of the parliamentary control committee, criticized that a lot had been missed in recent years. Central security policy risks have not been recognized as such for years. That's taking revenge now, he told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper".
The CDU politician Roderich Kiesewetter, deputy on the committee, called on the population to better arm themselves against power failures. Not everyone is aware of "the seriousness of the situation". The government must therefore say to the citizens: "Buy radios with batteries, make sure you have water supplies."
The German Association of Cities also called for the population to be better informed about the possible consequences of energy shortages or sabotage. "A blackout is a realistic scenario," said managing director Helmut Dedy of the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". "People have so far been inexperienced with crises and disasters. That's why continuous, transparent and low-threshold information about possible risks is important." A functioning emergency supply of water and heat is only possible for a maximum of 72 hours, according to Dedy. Municipal civil protection can last for several days Blackouts cannot be dealt with alone, government agencies would then have to work together at all levels.
