Hybrid threats are not only directed against digital systems and physical infrastructure. They also affect the structures and processes of organisations, as well as their ability to remain operational in crisis situations. The Future Forum therefore focused not only on technical and physical protective measures, but also on organisational preparedness and the role of managers and staff.

The event was opened by Leon Eckert, Member of the German Bundestag and Chair of the Advisory Board of ZOES Berlin, and Hartfrid Wolff, Chairman of the Board of ZOES Berlin. In his opening address, Prof. Dr Manfred Hauswirth presented the SIRIOS Lab at Fraunhofer FOKUS.

The Hybrid Threat Landscape and Civil Defence

Wolfgang Lohmann, who also moderated the event, provided an introduction to the hybrid threat landscape, as well as the resulting consequences and necessary actions. Andrea Schumacher, Head of the Civil Defence Department at the German Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), then presented the plans and structures of civil defence in her keynote address. A parliamentary panel brought together the various perspectives and explored them in greater depth during the subsequent discussion.

The presentations highlighted that hybrid threats can affect different sectors simultaneously. Effective preparedness therefore requires the interplay of government preparedness measures, secure infrastructure and resilient organisational structures.

Crisis scenarios at the SIRIOS Lab

During a visit to the SIRIOS Lab, participants gained insights into the work of Fraunhofer FOKUS’s research and demonstration laboratory. The focus was on scenarios relating to climate change, power cuts and cyber security. The lab makes it possible to simulate interconnected crisis situations, examine their impacts and test possible courses of action.

Resilience in organisations and society

In the afternoon, the focus turned to the crisis resilience of organisations. Sandra Schmidt, Vice President of Security at Bundesdruckerei GmbH, explained how awareness of crisis preparedness can be strengthened within organisations. Corinna Budras, correspondent and podcaster for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, examined the public’s risk awareness and the prerequisites for a proactive approach to managing risks.

Insights from members of the forum complemented these perspectives with experiences from the business world. Jan Hölterling of Drägerwerk AG & Co. public partly limited partnership and Fabio Schomacker of ECE Marketplaces GmbH & Co. KG provided insights into corporate crisis resilience. To conclude, Hartfrid Wolff summarised the implications and recommendations with regard to public safety and security.

The Future Forum demonstrated that resilience is not merely a technical challenge. Organisations require clear lines of responsibility, well-prepared processes and staff who are aware of potential risks. Equally important are regular dialogue between the stakeholders involved and a shared understanding of their respective roles.
Fraunhofer FOKUS would like to thank ZOES Berlin, the speakers and all participants for their expert contributions and the valuable exchange of ideas.