Official launch of a comprehensive national cyber security ecosystem

Official press release on the launch of the German Center for CyberSecurity e. V.

27 August 2026 · Berlin · GC4C Press Office Press release

Berlin, 27 August 2026. A nationwide, non-profit association for cyber security launches publicly in Berlin today: the German Center for CyberSecurity e. V. (GC4C). It connects companies, public authorities and security experts into a shared cyber security ecosystem, with the aim of making Germany more resilient against a growing number of cyber attacks.

From today, GC4C presents itself and its conceptual mission to the wider public. Founded on 26 August 2025, the institution pursues a clear and socially relevant goal: strengthening Germany's digital resilience through cooperation, prevention, education and targeted help in a crisis.

The situation: a country in the crosshairs

The threat has reached a new dimension:

Germany is one of the most heavily attacked countries in the world and by some distance the most attacked country in the German-speaking region – 82 % of all incidents in the region affect German organisations (source: current cyber security situation reports 2025/2026).
According to the BSI report on the state of IT security in Germany 2025, 119 newly discovered vulnerabilities per day (+24 % year on year) point to a rapidly rising threat level.
The overall economic damage exceeds 202 billion euros per year (Bitkom study „Wirtschaftsschutz 2025“).

Those affected include:

Small and mid-sized companies: data theft, ransomware, extortion, espionage
Hospitals: shutdowns, manipulation, risk to human life
Municipalities, public authorities and critical infrastructure: sabotage, information manipulation, organised attacks

Artificial intelligence as an accelerant: deepfakes, automated attack swarms and AI-generated malware are steadily eroding the effectiveness of traditional defences.

The GC4C concept describes the need for functional prevention ahead of an incident, but equally for fast tactical and technical assistance after an attack, in order to minimise damage and restore operational capability.

Mission: protecting Germany's digital future

GC4C states its ambition plainly: Germany should be fit for the future and cyber-resilient in the digital age. To that end the association develops concepts, methods and operational structures that go well beyond conventional awareness work.

„We are living through the decisive moment of our digital era: either we act together, or we remain vulnerable. With GC4C we are creating a new WE that reaches across organisations, sectors and jurisdictions. A WE that protects, strengthens and connects. Our goal is clear: a secure digital future for an entire country, carried by people who are willing to take responsibility. There is no security without working together!“

Ralf Greis, Chairman of the Board, GC4C – entrepreneur and Senator in the Senate of the Economy Germany

This mission covers:

strengthening economic performance
protecting social and societal achievements
minimising the impact of successful attacks
sustained support for companies and public authorities
close alignment with the German federal government's digitalisation goals

Strategic pillars: a comprehensive cyber security ecosystem

1. Building a living ecosystem

All relevant actors – those who provide protection and those who need it – are brought together under one roof, to realise synergies and establish digital security as a shared task.

2. Quality assurance at a high level

GC4C ensures that the experts, organisations and tools contributing to cyber defence meet the highest standards. This includes transparent procedures, a code of conduct and qualified selection processes.

3. Establishing a connecting mindset

Cyber security is not only technology, it is an attitude. GC4C fosters a shared understanding of information security, prevention and responsible digital culture. The goal and the cause come explicitly and clearly before opportunistic behaviour.

4. Orchestrating the actors

The association structures exchange, processes and cooperation – on the basis of clear rules, a shared code of conduct, guidelines and defined procedures.

Operational measures and platforms

GC4C relies on a broad spectrum of practical and effective measures:

threat analysis and research on a scientific basis
building early-warning systems and monitoring
developing joint emergency and response strategies
networks and professional dialogue with interest groups, the Chambers of Commerce (IHK), the BVMW, security authorities and others
knowledge transfer through training, working groups and studies
platforms such as PASCAL for the preventive analysis and assessment of attack situations

The association also builds on the valuable experience of the former G4C, a close exchange platform between industry and security authorities. Its mechanisms are being modernised and integrated into the larger GC4C ecosystem.

Support before and during an incident

A particular value lies in the design and orchestration of the ecosystem – especially between those who provide protection and those who need it – so that fast technical and tactical support becomes possible both for prevention and in the aftermath of an attack. The aim is to make the connections within a living, trust-based network usable: to minimise damage, restore processes and keep organisations able to act.

„The growing professionalism of cybercriminal structures demands a coordinated, robust and trustworthy approach from all relevant bodies. GC4C creates a platform that makes exactly this kind of cooperation possible – fact-based, quality-assured and consistent with the principles of crime prevention. Only through clear processes, reliable partners and structured exchange will we achieve a higher level of digital security.“

Ingmar Weitemeier, Member of the Board, GC4C – former Director of the State Criminal Police Office

Carrying forward the experience of G4C

Conceptually, GC4C builds on the successful work of the former organisation „G4C – German Competence Center against CyberCrime e. V.“, whose insights, networks and mechanisms are being integrated into the new model. GC4C is a new association that adopts the effective findings of G4C's work and expands, with broad professional participation, on the further measures that cyber security requires.

An invitation to take part

GC4C invites companies, public authorities, associations, institutions and committed professionals to become part of the community. Members benefit from situational reports, analyses, exchange formats, access to PASCAL, quality-assured networks and support in an emergency. The application form is available in German.

Frequently asked questions about GC4C

What is the difference between GC4C and the former G4C?

The German Center for CyberSecurity e. V. (GC4C) is an independent organisation newly founded in 2025. It is not identical to the former G4C – German Competence Center against CyberCrime e. V. – but builds on its experience and networks and carries them forward within a broader ecosystem approach.

What is PASCAL?

PASCAL is the AI-supported cyber security knowledge platform of GC4C. It consolidates information from numerous sources and relates it to one another, enabling research and analysis of cyber security incidents, vulnerabilities, malware, botnets, threat actors, indicators of compromise (IoCs), attack techniques and countermeasures for the preventive assessment of attack situations. It is being developed further during 2026.

Who can become a member?

Any natural or legal person of good standing whose interests align with the purpose of the association – from companies and public authorities through associations and institutions to committed individuals.

Is GC4C a commercial provider?

No. GC4C is a non-profit, independent association with no commercial interest of its own. Further background articles are available in the German GC4C newsroom.

Contact

German Center for CyberSecurity e. V.
Leuchtenburgstraße 23 | 14165 Berlin | Germany
www.gc4c-ev.de | kontakt@gc4c-ev.de

Press contact:
Ralf Greis, Chairman of the Board, GC4C e. V.
presse@gc4c-ev.de

„There is no security without working together!“