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Organized crime, terrorist attacks perpetrated by extremists, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, political conflicts, and the collapse of states all represent potential dangers for Germany. Natural and environmental disasters also pose considerable risks.

Germany's highly efficient infrastructures are strongly networked and highly automated - which also makes them sensitive and vulnerable. The Federal Government aims to provide the highest possible level of security. For example, appropriate provisions have been introduced to prevent hazardous substances from being brought into the country and food and drinking water from being polluted with harmful substances. With the help of civil security research, the Federal Government wants to develop concepts to safeguard the freedom of citizens in our modern industrialized society as effectively as possible.

In addition to protecting society from risks, security technology products and services also boost the economy. In 2005, the security sector had a sales volume of ten billion euros in Germany alone; 3.6 billion euros (and growing) in the field of IT security. According to the OECD, growth rates of up to 8 percent per year are possible in the global market. In other words, security technologies provide international competitive advantages and are a real lead market.