20 years of the federal police: successfully against cybercrime!

20 years of the federal police: successfully against cybercrime!

Wien, Österreich - On July 1, 2025, a panel discussion took place in the Ministry of the Interior on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the merger of gendarmerie, security guard and criminal officer corps. This significant event is reminiscent of the establishment of the new “Federal Police”, which started the service on July 1, 2005. The merger was the largest administrative innovation project in the second Republic of Austria.

At the celebration, the then Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel and former Federal Minister Ernst Strasser commented on the positive effects of the reform. Interior Minister Karner emphasized the meaningfulness of the merger and emphasized the need to adapt to modern conditions, especially in the area of ​​cybercrime. This adaptation is particularly noteworthy in the light of the increased cybercrime ads.

cybercrime in focus

In 2005, 1,794 advertisements were counted in Austria for cybercrime offenses, while the number rose to alarming 62,328 in 2024. This increase illustrates the high threat situation in the cyber space, which is also documented in the Federal Latin Sympeous Cybercrime 2024. Particularly noteworthy are the increased numbers in serious crimes, such as ransomware attacks and DDOS campaigns that target critical infrastructures.

The educational rate for these offenses has also improved. It rose from 39.6 percent in 2005 to 52.9 percent in 2024. Wolfgang Schüssel emphasized that modern developments could not be mastered without the introduction of the federal police. The complexity of the cybercrime scenarios has also increased, which considerably challenges the work of the security authorities.

The role of the BKA

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) plays a central role in combating cybercrime. The Department of Cybercrime is one of the leading offices worldwide and is responsible for determining cybercriminals and the breakdown of criminal networks. According to the BKA, the strategic evaluation and early detection of developments in the field of cybercrime is essential.

In 2024, 131,391 cybercrime cases were recorded in Germany, of which 201,877 foreigners or unknown perpetrators were responsible. This shows that cybercriminals often act from outside, which also requires international cooperation in combating cybercrime. The annual damage caused by cyber attacks in Germany amount to 178.6 billion euros.

challenges of the future

A crucial topic that was addressed during the panel discussion is the increasing threat from cybercrime in connection with progressive digitization. This offers new matters used by criminals. The pandemic has increased the relevance of digital infrastructures, which leads to an intensified threat situation.

There were also worrying trends, such as the more professional development of phishing emails that are increasingly being created. The need to strengthen the legal framework for cyber defense was also emphasized. With the expectation of further tightening by AI supported crimes in 2025, it is clear that the security authorities are still required to adapt their strategies and to intensify cooperation at national and international level.