Digital security as a shared societal responsibility: NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul in dialogue with students at the Faculty of Communication and Environment
On January 15, 2026, NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul visited Rhine-Waal University at its Kamp-Lintfort campus to discuss issues of cybersecurity and cybercrime with students from the Faculty of Communication and Environment. Invited by Professor Dr Matthias Reintjes, Professor of Public Administration and Digital Transformation, the Minister delivered a guest lecture to around 100 students enrolled in the E-Government Bachelor’s programme, before engaging in an open Q&A session with the audience.
In his lecture, Reul highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity for government action, focusing in particular on the changing demands placed on police forces and law enforcement agencies. The ongoing digitalisation of public administration, the increasing interconnection of critical infrastructures and the rising professionalisation of cybercriminal networks present the state with new and complex challenges.
“Digitalisation brings many benefits, but it also means that criminal activity is increasingly shifting online. This is something we have to respond to – among other measures by training specialised cyber officers in North Rhine-Westphalia,” Reul explained. At the same time, he emphasised that digital threats extend far beyond internal security, affecting the economy and society as a whole.
Reul’s remarks underlined the need for an interdisciplinary approach that brings together technical, organisational and legal perspectives. Well-qualified professionals are especially needed at the intersection of public administration, IT and law, and the public sector depends heavily on graduates with precisely this profile, such as those educated at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences.
Following the lecture, a lively discussion with students continued for around 45 minutes. Topics included hybrid threat scenarios, the use of new technologies in policing, data protection issues and the balance between security and civil liberties. The intensive exchange highlighted the strong interest of students in security and digital policy issues and demonstrated the value of direct dialogue between political decision-makers and the academic community.
The President of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Professor Dr Oliver Locker-Grütjen, thanked the Interior Minister for his visit. The exchange, he noted, made an important contribution to strengthening the link between academia, practice and political decision-making, while also enhancing the societal relevance of university teaching.
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From left to right: Professor Dr Matteo Große-Kampmann, Christoph Borbe, Professor Dr Matthias Reintjes, NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul, University President Professor Dr Oliver Locker-Grütjen, Professor Dr Tobias Siebenlist and Dean Professor Dr Klaus Hegemann.
The E-Government Bachelor’s degree programme is offered as a dual study programme organised in block phases. In addition to specialist knowledge in information and communication technologies, it provides students with social, communicative and organisational skills. Students gain insight into the specific requirements of public administration, acquire business and legal expertise, and are systematically prepared for interdisciplinary professional roles. The programme opens up a wide range of career opportunities in local authorities, at state, federal and European level, as well as in the private sector.