Email security starts with the sender – and is now being recognised. With the “Email Security Year 2025”, the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), eco – Association of the Internet Industry, and Bitkom are sending a strong signal for secure digital communication. The aim of the initiative is to strengthen digital resilience in email communications and to highlight providers who implement the highest security standards.
Hall of Fame for pioneers
A key element is the new Hall of Fame for email security. It honours companies that are clearly committed to modern security standards and thus contribute to consumer protection. The official presentation will take place on 23 August 2025 during the German Federal Government’s Open Day at the Federal Ministry of the Interior – an opportunity for additional attention and media visibility.
“Secure email communication is a basic prerequisite for trust in the digital society. Operators of email infrastructures – whether hosting providers, specialist email services, or companies with their own mail server structures – make a key contribution to the stability and integrity of digital communication by consistently implementing modern security standards,” explains Prof Norbert Pohlmann, eco Board Member for IT Security.
Three categories – for responsibility and setting an example
- Gold standard (TR-03108): Commitment to implementing the BSI guideline, including DANE and DNSSEC
- Silver standard (MTA-STS): Minimum requirements for secure email transport
- Supporters: Companies that help other organisations achieve these standards through consulting or implementation
eco is actively supporting the project as a partner of the BSI and is particularly helping its members to make their security measures visible. In addition, eco is offering a platform for further discussion of the challenges and opportunities in the field of email security in the B2B environment at the Internet Security Days (ISD) on 15 and 16 September 2025 in Cologne. “We want to highlight companies that are setting a good example and thus sending a signal for greater digital resilience in the B2B sector,” Pohlmann continues.
Application deadline: 15 August 2025
Companies wishing to secure a place in the Hall of Fame can apply informally by email to E-Mail-Sicherheitsjahr@bsi.bund.de.
All information on the technical requirements can be found here.
