After the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence Service (DSN) replaced the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Combating of Terrorism (BVT) two years ago, the reform is now being extended to the states.
The previous structures will be converted into state offices for state security and counter-extremism (LSE) from 2024, it said on Monday. Officials must be trained as ‘state security sensors’ and work regionally.
4.2 million euros budget for 2024
In total, the reform of the current state offices for the protection of the constitution and the fight against terrorism (LVT) will create 160 additional jobs in the states, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) emphasized. They should, among other things, devote themselves to research in cyberspace and prevention. We also want to take into account the fact that relevant crimes are increasingly committed by minors. The budget for next year is 4.2 million euros, says Franz Ruf, Director General for Public Security.
DSN director Omar Haijawi-Pirchner explained the difference with the previous LVTs. At the end of 2021, the task of the intelligence service was transferred from the government offices to the DSN. Now the LSEs need to be strengthened in some areas of responsibility, such as risk assessment.
“Eyes and ears” in the states
With the “state security sensors,” there will be “eyes and ears of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution” in the states. In addition to the operational prevention of extremism, digital forensics – for example in combating online hate – must be strengthened and modern risk management must be introduced.
Source: Krone
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