76 municipalities in Rhineland-Palatinate are strengthening their cyber security!

76 municipalities in Rhineland-Palatinate are strengthening their cyber security!

In Rhineland-Palatinate, 76 municipalities have already taken advantage of a free IT security check to improve their cybersecurity. This offer, which has been in existence since 2024, enables municipalities to assess their current state of information security and take necessary measures. So far, the country has invested around 59,300 euros in these external cybersecurity checks, although there is no financial limit for further checks. Other municipalities have registered their interest in this important security offer, as n-tv reports.

The security checks are based on the specifications of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and offer municipalities access to the state's warning and information service as well as a nationwide platform for information security. The state government emphasizes support for municipalities, but emphasizes the responsibility of individual municipalities for their own information security. The Association of Municipalities and Cities also emphasizes the need for common defense strategies against the increasing threat of cyber attacks.

Growing challenges from cyber attacks

The increasing number of cyber attacks on municipal systems poses a significant challenge as they endanger both the functionality of critical infrastructure and data protection. Despite the knowledge gained, it remains a challenge to address existing problems in implementation. Regular audits, system improvements and training are necessary to effectively counter the threat of cyberattacks. Another factor that makes security work more difficult is the shortage of skilled workers in the IT sector.

In order to help municipalities in this critical phase, the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) and the BSI have jointly published a guide entitled “Municipal IT crises: ensuring the ability to act”. This guide is intended to support municipalities in efficiently dealing with cyber attacks and securing their IT infrastructures. According to [bsi](https://www.bsi.bund.de/DE/Themen/Oeffentliche-Verwaltung/sicherheitsberatung/Laender-und-Kommunen/Handreichung_Kommunale_IT- Krisen/handreichung_kommunale_it-kritiken_node.html), close cooperation between local administrative levels and IT operations is crucial in order to minimize cyber threats.

Action strategies and emergency plans

The new guide contains information on how to effectively deal with cyber attacks and restore the IT infrastructure. It is based on a fictional scenario of a ransomware attack, which serves as a common thread to better illustrate the required processes. In addition, trained employees as well as planned internal structures and external help are mentioned as prerequisites for the implementation of acute measures.

This handout will be published both digitally and in print form on the BBK website in the coming weeks. The state's support of municipalities and joint efforts to improve cybersecurity are urgently needed in order to successfully meet the challenges of the digital world. However, responsibility for information security remains with the municipalities themselves.