Contribution to the common good
The population warning system KATWARN has been developed by Fraunhofer FOKUS on behalf of the German public insurance companies and CombiRisk GmbH as a contribution to the common good. As a uniform system throughout Germany, it is operated on local, state, and federal level. KATWARN has been in use in Germany since 2010, initially as a SMS and e-mail service and since 2012 additionally as a smartphone app.
Internationally, KATWARN is distributed by the TURM solutions company.
The KATWARN partners at a glance
Fraunhofer FOKUS researches digital transformation and its impact on society, economics and technology. Since 1988 it supports commercial enterprises and public administration in the shaping and implementation of the digital transformation. For this purpose, Fraunhofer FOKUS offers research services ranging from requirements analysis to consulting, feasibility studies, technology development right up to prototypes and pilots in the business segments Digital Public Services, Future Applications and Media, Quality Engineering, Smart Mobility, Software-based Networks, Networked Security, Visual Computing und Analytics. With about 430 employees in Berlin and an annual budget of 30 million euros, Fraunhofer FOKUS is the largest ICT institute of the Fraunhofer Society. Around 70% of its budget is generated through projects from industry and the public domain.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems FOKUS is an internationally renowned research institute in the area of information and communication technology. Emphasis is on applied research to facilitate digital transformation. Since 1988, Fraunhofer FOKUS supports commercial enterprises and public administration in shaping the digital transformation through research services ranging from requirements analysis to consulting, feasibility studies, technology development right up to prototypes and pilots. With its business segments, Digital Public Services, Future Applications and Media, Quality Engineering, Smart Mobility, Software-based Networks, Collaborative Safety and Security, Visual Computing and Analytics, Fraunhofer FOKUS covers the main areas that are necessary for the development of ICT based infrastructures in networked environments.
To be equipped to meet the challenges of the market, public insurers are complementing their regional economic activity and their commitment to local people through nationwide cooperation. The role of the Association of German Public Insurers (Verband öffentlicher Versicherer, VöV) is to be responsible for this cross-company cooperation in the group. With its diverse functions, the association has been supporting public insurance companies for more than a century in combining their distinctive identities and regional decision-making skills with the advantages of nationwide cooperation. With its expertise and services, the VöV is in demand as a trend and market analyst, project coordinator, center for knowledge transfer, decision-making forum for shared interests or as a sparring partner for other units within the Savings Banks Finance Group.
Risks are subject to constant change. Early recognition of risks and the correct handling of identified risks is therefore of fundamental importance for companies and local authorities. CombiRisk engages in the mediation and provision of risk management consulting services for companies and public institutions. It was founded in July 2002 as a joint venture between two public insurance companies, the SV Sparkassen-Versicherung Gebäudeversicherung Baden-Württemberg AG and the Bayerische Landesbrandversicherung AG.
In the past, it was the watchman's task to keep an eye out and warn the castle's inhabitants of approaching attacks. Today, the digital warning system KATWARN informs about threats to life, limb or property. TURMsolutions GmbH is a spin-off of Fraunhofer FOKUS and supports international customers in introducing and operating the KATWARN warning system. We pay particular attention to the international networking of safety: international standards and national conditions. Thanks to the many years of expertise of our employees in the field of warning technology, processes and management, we find optimal solutions for public administrations, security organisations and companies worldwide.