On January 15, 2026, NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul visited Hochschule Rhein-Waal in Kamp-Lintfort, where he gave a lecture on cybersecurity and cybercrime. In the packed lecture hall, the minister delivered a guest lecture at the invitation of Prof. Dr. Matthias Reintjes, Professor of Public Administration and Digital Transformation, to around 100 students of the Administrative Informatics – E-Government, B.Sc. program, and subsequently answered numerous questions from the students.

In his lecture at the Faculty of Communication and Environment at Hochschule Rhein-Waal, Reul highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity for government action, focusing in particular on the changing conditions for police and law enforcement authorities. The ongoing digitalization of governmental processes, the increasing interconnection of critical infrastructures, and the growing professionalism of cybercriminals present the state with new, complex challenges.

“Digitalization certainly has many positive aspects, but of course it also means that the bad guys and girls are increasingly shifting their criminal activities online. One must, of course, respond to that. That’s why we have police officers on the streets and have also been training cybercops in North Rhine-Westphalia for some time,” said Reul. At the same time, the Interior Minister emphasized that the impacts of digital threats extend far beyond internal security; they also threaten the economy and open society as a whole.

A central concern of the lecture was the necessity of integrating technological, organizational, and legal competencies more closely. Especially at the interface of administration, IT, and law, future professionals bear a special responsibility. The state relies on well-trained specialists, such as the administrative informatics students at Hochschule Rhein-Waal.

Following the lecture, Herbert Reul spent around 45 minutes answering students’ questions and engaging in discussion. In a lively debate, numerous topics were addressed, including the role of the state in defending against hybrid threats, the use of new technologies in policing, questions of data protection, and the balance between security and civil liberties. The intensive Q&A session highlighted the students’ strong interest in security and digital policy issues and provided an opportunity for direct exchange between policymakers and young academics.

The President of the University, Prof. Dr. Oliver Locker-Grütjen, thanked the Interior Minister for the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas. The visit made an important contribution to connecting science, practice, and political decision-making. At the same time, an exchange between political decision-makers and students strengthens the societal relevance of higher education.

The Administrative Informatics – E-Government, B.Sc. program is a dual study program in a block model. E-Government involves developing innovative IT solutions for administration and business. In addition to acquiring expertise in information and communication technologies, students also develop social, communication, and organizational skills. They learn the specific requirements of public administration, gain the necessary know-how to find economically viable solutions, and become familiar with the legal framework within which they will work. The interdisciplinary program trains experts who are qualified for almost all sectors. It enables graduates to apply new technologies in municipalities, at state and federal levels, in European institutions, and in the business sector.

Hochschule Rhein-Waal

Hochschule Rhein-Waal was founded in 2009 and stands for an innovative, interdisciplinary, and international education for young people. At its campuses in Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort, the university offers a total of 25 bachelor’s and eleven master’s degree programs across four faculties – “Technology and Bionics,” “Life Sciences,” “Society and Economics,” and “Communication and Environment.” The courses at Hochschule Rhein-Waal are scientific, application-oriented, and internationally focused. They are characterized by high quality and practical relevance in teaching and research. Approximately 75 percent of the programs are taught in English, and currently nearly 6,250 students from over 120 nations study together in an environment chosen by many specifically for its cultural diversity and internationality. This provides students with intercultural exchange opportunities and optimal preparation for the national and international job market.

Press Contact Hochschule Rhein-Waal
Dr. Petra Radtke
Head of the Presidential Staff Unit
Hochschule Rhein-Waal

Campus Kleve
Marie-Curie-Straße 1
D-47533 Kleve

Tel.: +49 (0) 2821 806 73-326
Email: presse@hochschule-rhein-waal.de
Website: www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de