At a time when the boundary between state espionage, organized crime, and hybrid operations is becoming increasingly blurred, Berlin is opting for a model of integrated security. It rests on close cooperation among the state, businesses, academia, and intelligence services.

"Building on national and international objectives and an integrated security approach, the National Economic Security Strategy paves the way for integrated, holistic economic security. This means that all relevant areas of policy, public administration, and business work closely together to increase the resilience of the German economy in line with an all-hazards approach (...)"

This strategy is a direct extension of key international and domestic documents from recent years. It draws, among others, on the joint declaration of the G7 states from May 2023 concerning resilient supply chains and protection against espionage and digital sabotage; on Germany's National Security Strategy of June 2023; on the European Commission's European Economic Security Strategy from the same period; and on Germany's China Strategy of July 2023. The establishment of the National Security Council under the Federal Chancellery, which coordinates action at the intersection of internal, external, economic, and digital security, is also of great importance. The overarching objective of the entire undertaking is to strengthen the resilience of German value chains, research, innovation, and development against physical, digital, and hybrid threats, and above all against economic espionage and sabotage.

For the first time in Germany's history, an official definition of state-organized economic protection has been introduced. It denotes state support for businesses in effectively strengthening the resilience of their value and supply chains as well as the protection of their research, development, and innovation activities against physical, digital, and hybrid threats, with particular emphasis on economic espionage and sabotage. The document explicitly emphasizes that primary responsibility for security rests with the companies themselves. The state offers only "help for self-help" through intelligence information, security warnings, protective recommendations, and an appropriate legal framework that makes it easier for businesses to act independently.

The strategy focuses on three parallel pillars that complement one another.

Germany additionally plans to establish a public-private overseas network modeled on the American Overseas Security Advisory Council, to strengthen cooperation with the European Union and NATO, and to introduce an international regulatory monitor that would serve as an early warning system for legal changes in key markets.

Germany's National Economic Security Strategy of March 2026 represents a genuine breakthrough in thinking about security. Berlin explicitly acknowledges in it that protection of the German economy can only be as effective as the cooperation of all state and private actors. The strategy demonstrates that economic security is treated as a component of national security equal to and integral with defense. For Polish entrepreneurs cooperating with Germany and for the Polish security sector, this is a must-read document, showing the direction in which protection of the economy of our largest trading partner is developing.

[The author, Aleksandra Fedorska, is a journalist for Tysol.pl and numerous Polish and German media outlets]

[Title, "What You Need to Know" and "What This Means for Poland" sections, FAQ, and some subheadings by the Editorial Team]

What is Germany's National Economic Security Strategy? It is the first comprehensive document by the German government defining how to protect the economy against threats such as espionage, cyberattacks, or hybrid operations.

Why is Germany introducing such a strategy now? The reasons are growing geopolitical tensions, the risk of supply chain disruptions, and increasing digital and economic threats from third countries.

What does the state-business cooperation model consist of? The state provides information, warnings, and a legal framework, while businesses are responsible for implementing specific security measures.

Which areas of the economy are given special protection? Particular attention is devoted to critical infrastructure, research and development, technology, and supply chains.

Will the strategy affect companies outside Germany? Yes, especially companies cooperating with German partners — they will need to meet higher security and data protection standards.