Recently, cyber attacks have posed a significant threat to German companies, with the number of attacks on the rise. According to a new study by Berlin digital association, China emerged as the largest source of cyber attacks on the German economy in 2023. 45% of companies affected by cyber attacks were able to trace them back to China, a 3% increase compared to the previous year.
An alarming example of such cyber attacks is the espionage activities carried out by hackers believed to be from China targeting the Volkswagen automotive conglomerate over several years. Investigators revealed that the attackers were trying to gain access to the company’s technological developments. President of BITKOM, Ralph Wintererst, highlighted that these incidents reflect the growing tensions and conflicts in today’s world where cybercrime is being used as a tool of warfare.
Although cyber attacks originating from China have increased, those allegedly coming from Russia have decreased. This year, 39% of surveyed companies reported being attacked by Russian sources, a 7% decrease from the previous year. However, a third of respondents were unable to identify the source of the attacks, with some suspecting hackers from Germany or the USA.
The primary concern for companies is organized crime, which they attribute to 70% of cyber attacks. Additionally, the threat from foreign intelligence services has grown, with 20% of attacks being linked to them, a significant increase from the previous year’s 7%. Furthermore, approximately 27% of attacks are believed to be acts of revenge by current or former employees, causing further alarm in the business sector.
Studies by BitKom revealed that 81% of German companies experienced data theft or sabotage in the past year, resulting in an estimated total damage of 267 billion euros, a 29% increase compared to the previous year. The report also underlined the trend of cyber attacks being accompanied by physical crimes like theft of IT equipment and industrial espionage.
The threat level faced by German companies is escalating, with two-thirds of enterprises feeling that cyber attacks threaten their very existence, a number that continues to rise. The President of BitKom emphasized the need for businesses to enhance their protection measures, encompassing both digital and traditional security methods.
Vice President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Sinan Selena, stressed the importance of considering both opportunities and risks in dealings with China. He suggested a realistic evaluation of partnerships with Chinese state entities, acknowledging the potential security