Germany: Cyberattacks From Foreign Entities up 28%

Facts

• Data released on Monday on the extent of cybercrime in Germany found that reports of cyberattacks from foreign entities rose 28% in 2023, and were estimated to have cost the economy €148B ($159B) in damages.¹
• German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, presenting her report at the Federal Criminal Police Office, said the threat from foreign cybercrime 'remains high.' Germany 'will not be intimidated by the Russian regime,' Faeser added.²
• German digital industry association Bitkom has said that cyberattacks originating in China were up 50% and that attacks from Russia doubled over two years, with 80% of firms targeted suffering espionage, sabotage, or data theft.³
• Bitkom managing director Bernhard Rohleder told the media that criminal gangs and foreign intelligence agencies were the largest cybersecurity threat, with motivations ranging from financial gain to the damaging of key infrastructure.¹
• This news comes one week after Germany publicly accused Russia of cyberattacks on targets such as the ruling Social Democratic party and the defense and aerospace industries, leading to the recall of the German ambassador to Russia.⁴

Sources: ¹Euronews, ²reuters.com, ³Dw.Com and ⁴Verity.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Alliance For Securing Democracy. Cyberattacks from repressive, expansionist regimes like Russia and China have exploded in recent years, with Germany's harsh actions serving as a promising message that the West won't take them lying down anymore. Hundreds of incidents of 'authoritarian interference' across Europe, including cyberattacks and bribery, have come to light thanks to increased vigilance. The free world must continue both to tirelessly advocate against foreign interference and establish better safeguards here at home.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by RT International. These allegations show that the West is continuing its two-pronged, contradictory assault against Russia; accusing the country of being an omnipotent threat to everyone while gleefully promoting anti-Russian interests at home and abroad. These two pictures cannot be reconciled. These cyberattack claims are more baseless accusations hurled at Russia from a global community that has done nothing but antagonize and attempt to isolate it. Russia is not the aggressor in Europe.

Predictions