Schönbom Arne (Arne Schönbohm)

Schönbom Arne (Arne Schönbohm)

Biography

2022: Dismissed from the post of head of the agency of the Federal Directorate for Information Security of Germany

On October 18, 2022, German Interior Minister Nancy Feather fired Arne Schönbom, head of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). He is relieved of his duties immediately.

BSI is responsible for the security of computer systems and critical infrastructure, cryptography, counter-surveillance, certification of security products, etc. Mr. Schönbom has headed this department since 2016.

The reason for the dismissal of Arne Schönbom was his alleged ties with the Russian special services. In 2012, he reportedly co-founded an organization that characterizes itself as politically neutral and advises the private and public sectors on cybersecurity. Among the members of the organization is the German company Protelion, which is a subsidiary of a Russian cybersecurity firm founded by a former KGB officer.

Arne Schönbom

A spokesman for Interior Minister Nancy Feather confirmed that Arne Schönbom's dismissal is related to media publications touching on the topic of his possible connection with Russian intelligence.

{{quote 'The necessary public trust in the neutrality and impartiality of his [Arne Schönbom] leadership as president of Germany's most important cybersecurity agency is eroded, the statement said. }} At the same time, it is emphasized that the former head of the BSI will be considered innocent while the investigation is underway. Mr. Schönbom himself does not publicly comment on the situation. Earlier, the German news agency Der Spiegel reported that Arne Schönbom asked for formal disciplinary proceedings against him. Against this background, Germany intends to focus on the maximum possible strengthening of national cybersecurity.^[1]

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