After a confidential report from the Federal Court of Auditors highlighted IT shortcomings at the state‑owned Autobahn GmbH, politicians from all parties raised the alarm. The company, which manages more than 13,000 kilometres of highways, is a key part of Germany’s critical infrastructure.
In an interview with “Handelsblatt”, CDU member Marc Henrichmann, chair of the intelligence‑control committee, called the findings a “warning shot”. He said that cyber‑security is a matter of national resilience and stressed the need for “clear responsibilities, uniform standards, and overarching strategic ownership”. Henrichmann warned that laxity in this area threatens the country’s vital supply chains.
SPD digital policy spokesman Johannes Schätzl described the accusations as “concerning”. He added that the presence of such severe cyber‑security deficits in a state‑owned company is unacceptable and must be addressed both structurally and practically. Schätzl urged that the transport sector be protected especially in light of heightened geopolitical threats, and that clear IT responsibilities and digital sovereignty be given top priority.
Green Party deputy chair Konstantin von Notz also pointed to a persistently high threat level. He remarked that the country continues to face serious attacks on critical infrastructures-particularly transport-almost daily. “Securing IT systems can no longer be a nice‑to‑have” he told “Handelsblatt”. At the same time, he criticized the federal government for its shortcomings and called for the Autobahn GmbH’s deficits to be removed “as soon as possible”.
According to “Handelsblatt”‘s report, the Court of Auditors cited several issues, including a lack of central IT ownership and organisational deficiencies. The Autobahn GmbH admitted to lapses and announced that it would revise its IT strategy in response.