Resilience & defence

We develop and implement security and resilience strategies that match physical, organisational and digital threats for businesses and public organisations.

Whether it’s information security, protection of classified information, business continuity or crisis management, our advisory integrates regulatory requirements (e.g. VS-IT, BSI Grundschutz, ISO 2700x, NIS2) and sector-specific risks – precisely, practically and preemptively.

Technological performance is a factor that is relevant to security – whether to state actors, operators of critical infrastructure or technology firms.

We combine technological depth with strategic advice and create IT structures for complex requirements:

• The development and implementation of digital strategies
• IT M&A advice incl. licence and agreement management
• Data protection & governance plans according to the latest standards

When economic crime, suspicions about security breaches or internal investigations are concerned, we offer a reliable resolution, data-based analysis and practical prevention.

Our experts combine forensic knowledge with technological know-how – coordinated to match the particular requirements of sensitive organisations.

• Operational investigations with interviews, expert reports and forensic damage analysis
• Digital evidence & data analytics, incl. fraud detection, pattern recognition and e-discovery
• Risk-based prevention with process advice, screening plans and crisis management

In the security and defence industry, it’s not just technology and capital that decide success, but also reliable control and governance structures. Operators of critical infrastructure, defence and technology firms as well as public institutions must show that their processes are legally compliant, resilient and auditable.

We’ll support you with building systems that stand up to both security requirements and regulatory specifications (e.g. NIS2, the German Supply Chain Act, EU Defence Directives). Our focus is on transparency, traceability and resilience in particularly critical areas:

• building, review and further development of internal control and revision systems for operators of critical infrastructure and defence projects
• Risk management and compliance systems, tailored to security regulations and international defence programmes
• Assistance with audits and reviews by national and international bodies, including subsidy and procurement projects with relevance for security

Public authorities and organisations entrusted with security responsibilities face the challenge of implementing complex projects in an efficient, legal and strategically viable manner.

We assist public bodies, project developers and institutions with relevance to security with structuring, managing and economic valuation of their projects – from the tender to the use of funds.

• Structure and personnel advice for institutions in the security environment
• Practical support with tenders, subsidy processes & supporting evidence
• Assistance through all the phases of projects and programmes – incl. PMO and management plans 

M&A transactions in the area of defence, security and critical infrastructure are subject to particular requirements. Alongside the traditional financial and tax aspects investment control, export compliance and conditions of security policy play a key role.

We accompany investors, companies and public actors in buy- and sell-side processes – with an interdisciplinary approach of financial, tax, legal and IT, coordinated to match the particular conditions of the security environment.

Whether in public-private partnerships, international defence programmes or investments in critical infrastructure – tax requirements are complex and often cross borders. We’ll assist you with

• Tax structuring and optimisation in public-private structures
• Designing and executing subsidy and procurement projects in a security environment
• Support with tax audits and advice on defence, especially for transactions with relevance to security
• Withholding tax and VAT issues in an international context

Alongside our focus on security, we also naturally cover the entire spectrum of tax advice.

In the security and defence industry legal conditions are particularly demanding. International cooperation projects are subject to special agreements such as the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), public subsidies must be compliant with EU state aid law, and complex permits require close coordination with authorities and institutions.

Our Legal team combines in-depth sector knowledge with international experience. We advise businesses, investors and public actors, particularly with:

• EU state aid law and risks of repayment claims for subsidy programmes and public-private partnerships
• Legal advice on international cooperation, particularly under NATO SOFA and similar agreements
• Export control, product compliance and environmental law for security technologies
• Contract drafting for international projects with public and private partners

We will naturally also advise you on all other relevant legal topics. 

We support public and private actors in utilising the current range of subsidies – particularly in defence, security and infrastructure.

We provide structure, legal certainty and speed – from making the application to cost statements.

• Assistance with subsidy procedures and filing applications under current regulations
• Examination of requirements under subsidy law and support with utilisation requests & proof documentation
• Advice for queries, subsequent requirements and communication with donors

The defence industry is increasingly the focus of regulatory ESG requirements. We support sector companies with implementing ESG regulations legally and in a strategically sensible way – with a particular focus on eligibility for subsidies, transparency and governance.

We provide structure, legal certainty and speed – from making the application to cost statements.

• Advice and review of the implementation of legal requirements
• Development of ESG strategies and business models
• Integration of aspects of ESG into company governance (e.g. internal control, RMS, CMS)