The IHK Saarland, the region's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has published a study on the regional economic effects of the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security. The study proves the considerable contribution that CISPA is making to the competitiveness of the Saarland as a business location. It forecasts regional economic effects of around 270 million euros per year from 2030 onwards. The results underline CISPA's position as a significant economic factor and as a catalyst for structural change in the region.
The study, which is based on current analyses and multiplier calculations, updates a previous IHK study. In 2018, the Saarland Chamber of Industry and Commerce had already conducted a study which took into account the then CISPA workforce of 150 employees and an anticipated increase to 800 employees by 2026. Based on this, the study expected regional economic effects of up to 98 million euros for the year 2026. This sum was made up of income tax revenue, sales effects and the positive impact on the computer science courses at Saarland University. The material and investment expenditures of CISPA in the Saarland were factored into the calculation with a multiplier of 1.6.
The current IHK study takes into account CISPA's dynamic growth. It assumes that the number of CISPA employees will rise to around 1,000 by 2030. Based on this development, the current study anticipates significantly higher wage tax and revenue effects totaling approximately 135 million euros by the year 2030. The study also looks at the effects that can be expected from CISPA startups and spin-offs. It assumes that around 77 spin-offs with approximately 2,150 employees will be created by 2030. This leads to additional regional economic effects amounting to 133.4 million euros per year.
In summary, CISPA and its spin-offs will generate regional economic effects of around 270 million euros per year from 2030 onwards. CISPA CEO and founding director Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael Backes underlines CISPA's successful contribution to Saarland as a business location. He comments on the results of the study as follows: "CISPA brings 270 million euros per year to the Saarland. This dimension has always been our goal and our aspiration. It is a good feeling to see this objectively quantified."
