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Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik
Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, abbreviated BSI, is the
German Federal Office for Information Security,
in charge of managing computer and communication security of the German Government,
located in Bonn (Germany) [1].
It was established in 1991, as successor to Zentralstelle für Sicherheit
in der Informationstechnik (ZSI), which was in turn the successor to the
Zentralstelle für das Chiffrierwesen (ZfCh),
the German cryptographic
authority that resorted under Department IV of the german intelligence service,
the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND).
The BSI is responsible for security of computer applications, critical infrastructure
protection, internet security, cryptography, counter eavesdropping, certification of
security products and the accreditation of test laboratories [1].
Unlike its predecessors ZfCh and ZSI,
which were part of the German federal intelligence
service OG (later: BND), the BSI is an independent governmental body.
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BSI endorsed products on this website
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The history of the BSI dates back to 1947 when, shortly after
WWII, cryptologist Erich Hüttenhain
– the former chief of cryptanalytical
research of the Wehrmacht – assembled a group of military cryptologists
at the US Army base near Oberursel (Hesse, Germany). This expert group,
informally known as
Studiengesellschaft zur Förderung Wissenschaftlicher Arbeit
(SFWA) 1 — translated: Society for Scientific Work (SSW) —
subsequently became part of the signals intelligence unit of
Organisation Gehlen (OG) –
the post war intelligence agency – and concentrated on
Eastern Block military transmissions [2].
It was located in Mehlem (Bonn, Germany) and headed by
Hüttenhain.
In 1956, Organisation Gehlen (OG) was succeeded
by the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND).
On 17 February 1957 the first plan for a overall federal
cipher authority was drafted, but it took a full two years of
negotiations before the plans were approved. Finally, on
2 February 1959 the SFWA became the
Zentralstelle für das Chiffrierwesen (ZfCh);
an independent organisation under BND Directorate II [2].
The Federal Chancellery defined its tasks as follows:
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- Cryptologic development and evaluation of encryption methods as required by users,
- Cryptanalysis of alien cipher systems.
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Hüttenhain
stayed on as head of the ZfCh until his retirement in 1970.
He was succeeded by Wilhelm Göing who, after his untimely death
in November 1972, was replaced by Otto Leiberich.
In the spring of 1973, during Leiberich's tenure,
ZfCh came under control of BND Department IV;
the department that also handled the secret BND/CIA
Operation RUBICON.
In 1986 – still under control of BND – ZfCh
formed an internal task force that concentrated on
the fast developing computer and information technology, which
in 1989 became known
as Zentralstelle für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik
(ZSI) — the Central Office for Information Security.
In 1991, ZSI became the independent
Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI) —
the German Federal Office for Information Security —
and is no longer under BND control.
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Also known as Studiengesellschaft für wissenschafliche Arbeiten.
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Erich Hüttenhain,
and from 1970 his successor Wilhelm Göing, were largely responsible for
Operation THESAURUS
(later: RUBICON)
— the secret purchase of the Swiss crypto-manufacturer
Crypto AG,
by the German BND
and the American CIA.
They are regarded as the architects.
Göing unexpectedly died in November 1972 and was succeeded by Otto Leiberich [4].
But as Leiberich was less of a 'heavy weight' than Göing and Hüttenhain,
it was decided – in the spring of 1973 –
to place ZfCh under Department IV of the BND, which was
also responsible for Operation RUBICON.
It provided CIA with a single point of contact
for matters related to the operation [3].
In 1991, ZfCh (later: ZSI) became the independent BSI,
after which the BSI became responsible for cryptographic matters related
to Operation RUBICON. This situation lasted
until 1994, when, after a series of incidents and conflicts of interest,
the BND decided to leave the operation.
➤ More about Operation RUBICON
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From the legacy of Leo Hepp, head of signals intelligence
at OG (1946-1956).
Document kindly provided by Erich Schmidt-Eenboom, July 2026.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Friday 20 December 2019. Last changed: Wednesday, 05 August 2026 - 19:45 CET.
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