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Protection against cybercrime is playing an increasingly important role. Interior Minister Dr. Roman Poseck (CDU) thinks: The city and district of Fulda are pioneers on this important topic. That is why both are now the first municipalities in Hesse to be awarded the Compass cybersecurity seal.
Fulda – “Cybersecurity is a central component of the issue of security as a whole. The municipalities are particularly in focus,” emphasized Mayor Dr. Heiko Wingenfeld (CDU) in his welcoming speech for the awarding of the seal in the Marble Hall of the City Palace.
The city and district of Fulda are the first to bear the cybersecurity seal
Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck sees it similarly. “With the awarding of the cyber security seal for the first time, we are opening a new chapter today,” he announced. As Poseck explained, the seal is part of the state program Kompass, in which, according to him, almost every second municipality in Hesse now takes part.
“Today, cybersecurity is an inseparable part of general security. Without cybersecurity, there can be no real security,” said Poseck. In view of this, his ministry also sees this on the Internet as a separate pillar of internal security. It is playing an increasingly important role, especially for municipalities – and that is how it was In February 2024, the municipality of Petersberg fell victim to a cyber attack. “The attacks in this area are increasing. The reason is, among other things, hybrid warfare, which is primarily carried out by Russia,” said the Hessian Interior Minister.
“If such an attack leads to services no longer functioning, citizens feel it immediately. Since 2025, we have been focusing on cybersecurity in municipalities. We see ourselves as supporters and advisors,” said Poseck, who himself reported on a cyber attack on the Rodgau municipality in 2023.
Interior Minister: Fulda has an exemplary position in the area of cybersecurity
The city and district of Fulda are in an exemplary position in this area, said the Interior Minister appreciatively. “You have made the issue of cybersecurity a top priority.” For this reason, Poseck designated both the city and the county as the first municipalities in Hesse with the Compass cybersecurity seal. The seal is given to municipalities that, according to the minister, meet several standards.
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KOMPASS (KOMmunalProgrAmmSafetySeal) is an offer from the Hessian Ministry of the Interior to cities and municipalities. According to the ministry, the aim of the program is to further develop the security architecture in the municipalities individually and to develop tailor-made solutions for local problems. The aim is to put existing things to the test and create a detailed list of measures on how safety on site can be further improved. The focus is on prevention. It is fundamentally important that all partners who perform tasks in the area of security, as well as citizens, are brought together at the table.
In October 2025 The city administration's IT infrastructure was subjected to a technical inspection by experts from ekom21. The recommended measures have been implemented. At the same time, in 2025, the Fulda district successfully participated in nationwide qualification and support programs to strengthen municipal cybersecurity. According to the ministry, together the city and district are making a significant contribution to protecting the digital infrastructure and the stability of administrative operations.
According to Poseck, 42 other municipalities are currently interested in the seal. According to the Interior Minister, this should provide both impetus and motivation, as well as an opportunity to network with one another.
District Administrator Bernd Woide (CDU) was pleased about the award and took up the minister's words: “The seal is not a reason to sit back, but rather an incentive.” Cybersecurity is an issue that permanently concerns the region. “The perpetrators are learning more and more. This means that we constantly have to do our homework.”
