Ongoing strategy development in the National Cyber Security Council An open-ended cyber security strategy must not be limited to defining strategic measures. Instead, digital change should be accompanied by an ongoing strategy process on cyber security issues out of which additional strategic measures may evolve. New threats must be recognized early and innovative solutions investigated and worked out. The National Cyber Security Council, established with the 2011 Cyber Security Strategy to serve the Federal Government as a strategic adviser, is supposed to play a key role in this regard. The National Cyber Security Council brings together high-level representatives from the federal (Federal Chancellery, Federal Foreign Office and the federal ministries of the Interior, Defence, Economic Affairs and Energy, Justice and Consumer Protection, Finance, Education and Research, and Transport and Digital Infrastructure; additional ministries as needed) and state levels, as well as the private sector, thereby offering a suitable format to advance the strategic cyber security issues most important for Germany. The National Cyber Security Council identifies long-term trends and needs for action, then develops ideas for strengthening cyber security in the areas of action mentioned. These ideas are then incorporated into the efforts of the Federal Government. In future, the National Cyber Security Council will increasingly draw on expertise from society, private industry and the research community. Invited experts speaking on individual strategic topics will provide background for discussion and for drawing up recommendations for action. In Action Area 1, based on the latest technical developments, the National Cyber Security Council should propose further national rules to improve cyber security. In Action Area 2, the Council should indicate further fields of cooperation between government and the private sector to increase cyber security and should make relevant proposals for implementation. In Action Area 3, the Council should address the federal cyber security architecture and offer important ideas for the Federal Government and Standing Conference of Interior Ministers. In Action Area 4, the Council should seek contact with similar strategic bodies of other key international partners to generate new ideas for national cyber security policy. 33