In the wake of recent terrorist attacks, the German government is reviewing its approach to cybersecurity, and according to Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière, plans are underway to amend various German laws and create a new cybersecurity unit within the police force.
The German official announced his plans last week, specifically on Thursday, speaking at a press conference, according to German news website Global Government Forum.
The Interior Minister said the new security department will be called the Zentrale Stelle für Informationstechnik im Sicherheitsbereich.
The new department will have to develop methods, products and strategies to combat crime and terrorism online.
But de Maizière's plans do not stop there. The minister said the cabinet also aims to simplify a number of German laws in order to prevent future terrorist attacks.
He said they plan to make it a criminal offense if a person promotes terrorism, whether online or offline.
Additionally, because most of the attackers who carry out heinous acts in the past have mental health issues, de Maizière said the government wants to relax the laws on patient-doctor confidentiality a bit so that doctors could give some information to the authorities if they feel something is about to happen.
