From June 4 to 6, 2025, a group of world-renowned experts in cybersecurity and trustworthy artificial intelligence visited CISPA in Saarbrücken to gain an in-depth understanding of the center’s research and development activities. The panel included researchers from prestigious institutions such as Cornell University, ETH Zurich, KU Leuven, the University of Washington, Georgia Institute of Technology, UC San Diego, and Northeastern University.
The evaluation was based on a detailed written report and a multi-day on-site review featuring presentations, lectures, and in-depth discussions. The panel assessed not only scientific excellence but also early-career support, gender equality, diversity, knowledge and technology transfer, and national and international collaborations.
Top rating in all evaluation categories
CISPA received the top grade of “Outstanding” in all three evaluation categories, which covered research across its six focus areas:
· Scientific achievements and their impact
· Originality and innovation potential
· International reputation and competitiveness
Comprehensive research on trustworthy artificial intelligence
Additionally, CISPA’s newly launched Flagship Initiative on Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence, which received dedicated federal funding and was evaluated separately, also earned the top rating. According to the reviewers, CISPA possesses globally unique conditions for advancing the holistic study of trustworthy AI.
The “Outstanding” rating on the Helmholtz scale is reserved for research institutions that are global leaders in their fields, conducting groundbreaking work with broad influence on their discipline and disruptive potential for society and the economy.
Strategic significance for CISPA’s future development
CISPA had already achieved excellent results in an interim evaluation in 2022. However, the results of this full-scale main evaluation are particularly significant, as the center is still in its institutional development phase. This flawless assessment is expected to have a major impact on CISPA’s future strategic direction and funding trajectory.
Michael Backes, CEO and Founding Director of the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security, emphasized: “This evaluation was the most important external milestone for us since our founding – and the result is flawless: we received the top rating in every category from internationally outstanding reviewers. I am incredibly proud of our entire team. This recognition affirms our position as a global research leader and highlights our enormous potential for impact on the economy and society in Germany and Europe. Above all, it shows that everyone at CISPA is achieving something truly exceptional together.”
