Its mission is to develop and research technical solutions, tools and methods for other government agencies.

[4] The agency also cooperates with universities and research institutes to develop new surveillance technology and strategies.

[3][5] ZITiS operations are organised in four departments: Telecommunication Surveillance, Digital Forensics, Cryptanalysis, and Big Data Analysis.

[4] The agency's president Winfried Karl in 2017 publicly called for the authority to strike back against the perpetrators of cyberattacks.

[5] The announcement of ZITiS' creation led to significant criticism from opposition parties and internet privacy activists.