BSI CyberRisikoCheck

The German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) developed the CyberRisikoCheck specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises. Based on DIN SPEC 27076, this standardized assessment provides SMEs a practical, affordable entry point into IT security—without the complexity of enterprise frameworks like ISO 27001 or BSI IT-Grundschutz.

The CyberRisikoCheck is pragmatic and focused. The assessment covers 27 core requirements across key security areas derived from BSI-Grundschutz. Through a structured interview process, we assess your current security posture and deliver concrete, prioritized recommendations tailored to your business. The result: a clear roadmap to improve your cyber resilience.

Why CyberRisikoCheck Matters

• SME-focused: Designed for businesses without massive regulatory compliance needs
• Low barrier: Quick assessment without complex audits or expensive certifications
• Standardized: Based on DIN SPEC 27076 for consistent, comparable results
• Actionable: Concrete recommendations you can implement immediately
• Subsidized: Eligible for federal and state funding programs in many regions

Qualified IT Service Partners Only

The CyberRisikoCheck may only be conducted by BSI-qualified IT service partners who have completed specialized training. As a qualified partner, we use BSI-provided tools to conduct standardized assessments and generate comprehensive reports. This ensures consistent quality across all assessments and enables the BSI to build an anonymized security landscape for German SMEs.

The 27 Security Requirements

The assessment covers essential security areas including: organizational security policies, employee awareness and training, access control and authentication, data backup and recovery, patch management and updates, network security, mobile device management, and incident response preparedness.

Requirements are categorized as "regular" or "important" to help prioritize improvements. Each requirement is assessed through structured interview questions, resulting in a status score that reflects your current security level across all areas.

How the Assessment Works

Step 1: Initial Consultation

• Collect basic company information
• Identify relevant documentation (backup concepts, access policies, emergency plans)
• Determine key stakeholders for the assessment
• Result: Clear preparation for efficient assessment

Step 2: Structured Interview

• On-site or remote assessment session
• Systematic review of 27 security requirements
• Documentation of current practices and gaps
• Result: Complete picture of your security posture

Step 3: Analysis and Reporting

• Evaluation according to DIN SPEC 27076 criteria
• Status score calculation across all areas
• Prioritized action recommendations
• Result: Your personalized security roadmap

Three Critical Outcomes

The CyberRisikoCheck delivers three essential outcomes for your business:

Current State Assessment provides a clear, objective view of your IT security posture. Many SMEs operate without knowing their actual risk exposure. The standardized assessment reveals vulnerabilities you may not have been aware of—from outdated backup procedures to missing access controls or inadequate employee training.

Prioritized Recommendations translate assessment findings into actionable improvements. Rather than overwhelming you with every possible security measure, the report focuses on high-impact changes appropriate for your business size and risk profile. Recommendations are practical and implementable without requiring enterprise-level budgets or expertise.

Funding Guidance helps you leverage available subsidies. Many federal states offer funding programs for SME cybersecurity improvements. We advise on applicable programs and support your funding applications to maximize return on your security investments.

Business Benefits

The CyberRisikoCheck provides:

• Risk visibility: Understand your actual cyber risk exposure
• Customer trust: Demonstrate commitment to data protection and security
• Insurance readiness: Meet cyber insurance requirements with documented assessments
• Foundation for growth: Build toward ISO 27001 or IT-Grundschutz if needed later

Quick Wins

• Immediate risk awareness: Know your vulnerabilities within days, not months
• Low investment: Fixed-price assessment with no hidden costs
• Fast implementation: Start improving security immediately after results

Why SMEs Are Targeted

• Easy targets: Often lack dedicated IT security staff or expertise
• Automated attacks: Criminals use automated scans that hit unprotected businesses
• Supply chain entry: Attackers compromise SMEs to reach larger partners

Studies show approximately 45% of small German businesses experienced IT security incidents in the past year. SMEs are rarely targeted specifically—they're caught in broad, automated attack campaigns that exploit common vulnerabilities. The CyberRisikoCheck helps you close exactly these gaps before attackers find them.

Your Path Forward

As a BSI-qualified IT service partner, we guide you through the complete CyberRisikoCheck process—from initial consultation through assessment to implementation support. The assessment typically requires just one consultant day and delivers immediate, actionable results to strengthen your cyber resilience.