Germany’s Top Cop Demands New Powers to Stop Cyberattacks Before They Strike
Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is advocating for enhanced powers to combat cybercrime. BKA President Holger Münch has cautioned that existing laws hinder the agency's ability to act preemptively against cyber threats. He has called for urgent legislative changes to enable preventive measures in critical cybersecurity incidents.
On December 29, 2025, Münch emphasized a significant gap in Germany’s cybersecurity defenses. Under current regulations, the BKA can only intervene once a criminal investigation is initiated. This means the agency lacks the authority to prevent cyberattacks unless they involve international terrorism.
Münch drew a parallel to traditional policing, noting that in the physical world, officers can intervene to stop harm before it occurs. However, in the digital sphere, law enforcement lacks this same power. He argued that the BKA Act must be updated to permit targeted preventive action in serious cyber cases. Without these changes, Münch warned, Germany will struggle to defend against large-scale cyber threats at the federal level. The current system, he said, is inadequate in addressing modern cybersecurity risks.
The BKA’s proposed reforms would grant the agency broader authority to act proactively against cyber incidents. Münch emphasized that legislative adjustments are crucial for Germany to bolster its cybersecurity framework. This call comes as digital threats continue to escalate in scale and complexity.
