Germany launches ambitious security plan to counter hybrid threats

Germany is set to implement an extensive security initiative in 2026 aimed at bolstering national protection against terrorism, organized crime, and increasingly sophisticated external threats. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) announced the program, emphasizing that “safety, stability, and the protection of the public must stand at the forefront of Germany’s political agenda.”

According to Dobrindt, the initiative will expand the powers of law enforcement agencies and ensure that “any individual or group seeking to undermine Germany’s democratic order will be met with a resolute and capable state.” He stressed that the program is designed to guarantee citizens’ security not only at home but also in their daily routines, thereby reinforcing public confidence in the government’s ability to safeguard the country, Caliber.Az reports, citing German media.

Key measures include enhanced automated data-analysis tools, IP address retention, and the deployment of artificial intelligence systems for facial recognition, which will allow for biometric comparisons across online platforms to identify suspects and disrupt illicit networks. Dobrindt also intends to revise the federal police’s legal mandate to reflect modern security challenges, including source-based telecommunications surveillance, and to strengthen defences against disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and sabotage of critical infrastructure.

A central focus of the strategy is a proactive posture toward hybrid threats, which combine digital, informational, and conventional tactics. Dobrindt explained that Germany will develop a legislative framework permitting federal authorities to carry out cyber countermeasures, such as disabling servers or digital systems operated by foreign attackers. The planned completion of the automated network-defence platform “Cyber Dome” next year is a key component of this approach, with Germany collaborating closely with Israel to leverage its cybersecurity expertise.

The initiative has received conditional support from the Green Party. Deputy parliamentary leader Konstantin von Notz acknowledged the “necessity of equipping security agencies with modern, effective tools to protect the fundamental structures of society” but cautioned that expanded state authority must remain within constitutional limits.

He specifically warned that blanket surveillance practices, such as broad IP retention, risk infringing on civil liberties and advocated instead for the targeted Quick-Freeze procedure, which preserves specific internet data only under judicial authorization and in clearly defined circumstances.

By Vafa Guliyeva