Germany’s BND seeks to recruit gamers for cybersecurity roles

Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is launching a recruitment drive targeting gamers to bolster its cybersecurity capabilities. The agency aims to recruit a new generation of technologically skilled agents to counter cyberattacks from Russia, which have targeted critical German infrastructure.

To facilitate this, BND officials plan to attend Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, the world’s largest video game festival. The agency will showcase ‘BND Legends’, a hacking-themed video game designed by the BND, to engage potential candidates. Officials noted a significant overlap between the skills possessed by gaming enthusiasts and the expertise required for cyber defense and hacking.

Prospective recruits who meet the agency’s profile may be invited to participate in a five-stage testing process to evaluate their proficiency in cybersecurity and hacking. This initiative follows recent reforms approved by the German cabinet that expand the operational capabilities of BND field agents.