For this journal Entry, I was asked to compare cybersecurity risks in the U.S. and another country. I chose to evaluate Germany by comparing our infrastructures, regulations, cybercrime rates, and technological advancements. This has helped me compare the cybersecurity risks in the U.S. and Germany comparing these things. The US has a wide range of complex and digital infrastructures due to our large economy and extensive internet usage across sectors like finance, healthcare, and government. Germany on the other hand also has a powerful digital infrastructure, particularly in industries like manufacturing (Industrie 4.0) and finance, with a strong emphasis on data protection and privacy due to regulations like GDPR. In contrast, Germany has stringent data protection laws under GDPR, which apply to German companies and any entity handling EU citizens’ data. In addition to this Germany has its data protection laws (BDSG) and cybersecurity regulations. Unsurprisingly, the U.S. faces high volumes of cyber threats and cybercrimes yearly. This is mainly due to its large online presence and significant economic activity. Germany on the other hand also experiences cyber threats, including ransomware attacks, data breaches, and state-sponsored cyber espionage. Although compared to the U.S. it is relatively lower. The US is one of the world’s global leaders in technology innovations. Big tech giants and startups are some of the biggest driving factors when it comes to the US advancing in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Although these innovations are very beneficial they create new cybersecurity challenges. In contrast, Germany’s central focus is centered around industrial automation, renewable energy, and automotive sectors. Overall the US has an evolved cybersecurity ecosystem with a mix of public and private institutions, cybersecurity firms, research institutions, and government agencies. Germany also has an evolved cybersecurity ecosystem supported by agencies like BSI with an emphasis on data protection and privacy further strengthening Germany’s cybersecurity frameworks.
