Policies (S4-1)

Personal security is a fundamental human need. For DB Group customers, protection against crime (objective security) and a feeling of security when using DB Group products and services (subjective security) are among the key criteria when choosing a means of transport. DB Group is committed to ensuring the security of its employees, especially those who work around the clock on trains and in stations, as part of its corporate duty of care. In addition to this obligation, we are aware that the security of our employees is an essential prerequisite for customer-oriented services. The personal security of our customers and employees in passenger transport is the core task of DB Group’s security organization.

The Management Board has transferred overall responsibility for security within DB Group to the Chief Security Officer (CSO). The CSO is also the Head of Group Security.

DB Security concept

All security activities are based on cooperation between central Group Security and the business units, whose security management teams are responsible for the business- unit-specific application of the security concept. The security concept is made up of Group-wide and business-unit-specific regulations. Group-wide regulations, such as the Group guideline on corporate security, regulate security management for DB Group in internal, external, national and international situations. Business-unit-specific guidelines, for example the regulations on DB Long-Distance control centers and DB Regio AG regional instructions, determine the framework for security-relevant situations in passenger and freight transport and in the operation of rail infrastructure. Separate rules apply with regard to rail customers for security on trains in the event of unforeseen incidents and for disruption management on trains and in stations. Operational security services are provided by service providers, in particular DB Security.

The development of the security concept is based on risk analyses resulting from the assessment of factors within and outside DB Group. The basis for this can be statistical evaluations, for example case numbers of certain offenses to the detriment of DB Group, its customers and employees, or findings about certain locations or rail lines that are conspicuous in terms of security aspects. The assessment of events in the political and social environment in Germany and abroad is also incorporated into the security concept.

We are also in constant contact with the relevant parties as we continue to develop our security concept. In addition to internal representative bodies such as works councils and trade unions, these include external partners such as the Federal Government and Federal state transport ministries, contracting organizations and transport associations as well as customer and passenger associations. Our employees, who contribute valuable ideas from their day-to-day work, also play a particular role in the further development of our security concept.

Adjustments and coordination of the security concept are carried out by the Group Security Committee, in which the security departments of the business units are permanently represented along with Group Security.

Regulatory partnership with the Federal Police

The Federal Police is responsible for averting danger and for prosecution at DB Group trains and stations. DB Group has a contractually regulated law enforcement partnership with the Federal Police. As part of the cooperation, DB Group and the Federal Police continuously evaluate the security and incident situation in Germany and abroad together and jointly coordinate strategy and concepts. In addition to the police situation report, the recording of security-relevant events in the Corporate Security Platform (CSP) forms the basis for decisions on security measures and the updating of the security concept. The aim of DB Group and the Federal Police is to protect the affected DB areas as well as customers, employees and visitors from crime and danger. The security concepts are monitored through regular exchanges on the situation between DB Group and the Federal Police. Specialized working groups have been set up for this purpose as part of the law enforcement partnership.

In cooperation with the Federal Police, the status of the Federal Police as a Federal authority gives rise to special requirements to which DB Group entities involved are subject, for example regarding the exchange of information and data. Special requirements for security concepts may also be defined in transport contracts, for example those concluded between the Federal states and DB Group’s TOCs. These are incorporated into the existing security concept.

Cooperation in other European countries

In cross-border traffic, German laws and contracts on cooperation with German authorities generally apply up to the national border or, if agreed with the neighboring country, up to the first station on the latter’s territory. This is also where the responsibility of the Federal Police ends. Cooperation agreements with other European railways in cross-border traffic and at the level of the respective country-specific police authorities are in place to administer regular exchange and operational communication, among other things.