Publications by Mirko Hohmann

• Commentary 16 Oct 2015

  German Bundestag Passes New Data Retention Law

  By Mirko Hohmann
  In December 2014, German Minister of Justice Heiko Maas issued a strongly worded tweet, complete with exclamation mark, stating that data retention laws violate the right to privacy and data protection, and that as a result, there should be neither German nor European legislation on this front. Ten…
• Commentary 17 Sep 2015

  The German NSA Affair and the Need for Reform in Berlin

  By Mirko Hohmann
  When Chancellor Angela Merkel recently cited the “challenges” concerning the National Security Agency as an area that the German government has “tackled excellently” this term, many observers were surprised – not least because, two years into the “NSA affair,” the German government continues to…
• Working paper 29 Apr 2015

  CSIRT Basics for Policy-Makers

  By Isabel Skierka, Mirko Hohmann
  Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) are an important pillar of the global cybersecurity ecosystem. Some describe CSIRTs as akin to digital fire brigades, centers for disease control, or digital Emergency Medical Technicians - first responders whose mission is to put out the fire, or…
• Commentary 27 Feb 2015

  In Search of Better Data Security? It’s Not Where, But How

  By Mirko Hohmann, Robert Morgus
  When asked earlier this week to give advice to the every day internet user, respected computer security researcher Bruce Schneier suggested we look beyond technical solutions to build a legal framework in order to protect our data and privacy. Nonetheless, last year, Schneier claimed that over 700…
• Study 24 Nov 2014

  Technological Sovereignty: Missing the Point?

  By Mirko Hohmann, Robert Morgus, Isabel Skierka
  An Analysis of European Proposals after June 5, 2013 Executive Summary European government officials and public figures have promoted a variety of proposals for gaining “technological sovereignty” in response to the media reports that began emerging in June 2013 on foreign surveillance. Our research…
• Commentary 01 Jul 2014

  No Need for Germany to Rush Acquisition of Armed Drones

  By Mirko Hohmann
  It has been almost two years since former Defense Minister de Maizière initiated a debate on the possible purchase of armed drones for the Bundeswehr. On June 30, however, the debate entered its next stage. That was when the Bundestag's Defense Committee met for a public hearing to discuss – as was…
• Commentary 26 Jun 2014

  Tötungsmaschinen von fragwürdigem Wert

  By Mirko Hohmann
  Die 2012 durch den ehemaligen Verteidigungsminister de Maizière angestoßene Debatte um die Beschaffung bewaffneter Drohnen für die Bundeswehr geht kommenden Montag in eine neue Runde. Dann treffen sich die Mitglieder des Bundestags-Verteidigungsausschusses zu einer öffentlichen Anhörung, um – wie im…
• Article 14 Nov 2013

  After Proliferation

  By Mirko Hohmann