Vulnerabilities "scanned": More cyber attacks on German networks

Since the beginning of the war, the security authorities have registered more hacker attacks in Germany.

Vulnerabilities "scanned": More cyber attacks on German networks

Since the beginning of the war, the security authorities have registered more hacker attacks in Germany. A German wind farm that was controlled via the satellite was also affected by the attacks on a Ukrainian satellite. Interior Minister Faeser wants to increase protective measures and emphasizes the risk for the economy.

According to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser from the SPD, the German security authorities have registered a significant increase in cyber attacks on local networks since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression. Significantly more activities have been observed since February 24, said Faeser during a visit to the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). However, the authorities have also significantly increased their protective measures.

For example, Germany was indirectly affected by the Russian attack on a Ukrainian satellite, which is also used to control a local wind farm, said Faeser. This shows that borders no longer play a role in cyber attacks.

In addition, since the Russian attack, it has also been increasingly observed that weak points in German networks are "scanned". "It is important for us that the security of the networks is guaranteed," said the interior minister. Secure state communications have also gained in importance as a result of the war.

"Not only since the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine have we seen the role played by cyber attacks in geopolitical conflicts," said Faeser. "They have long since become a risk for the state and the economy."

In addition to the IT situation center of the BSI, Faeser also visited the national cyber defense center, which is the central information, cooperation and coordination platform for the area of ​​cyber security. In addition to the BSI, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the Federal Criminal Police Office, the Federal Intelligence Service, the Federal Police and the Federal Office for the Military Counterintelligence Service exchange information here.

Faeser plans to strengthen the BSI as part of the cyber security agenda she has announced. To this end, the central office function of the authority is to be anchored in the Basic Law. The BSI should become the decisive body for cyber security in Germany, she said.