The President of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), Claudia Plattner, has cautioned against a persistent and escalating threat landscape within the cyber domain. Speaking to RTL and n-tv on Wednesday, Plattner stated, “We definitively face a concerning threat situation that we confront daily.
The situation has not improved over the past two years; rather, the frequency and sophistication of attacks have continued to increase. A particularly prevalent threat involves ransomware attacks, where perpetrators encrypt IT systems and subsequently demand payment. Plattner specifically noted a significant proportion of these attacks originate from Russia.
These actors are described as highly professional, often exfiltrating sensitive data before rendering systems unusable. Victims are then presented with a ransom note demanding payment in Bitcoin.
Russia’s role extends beyond ransomware campaigns, encompassing hacktivism and disinformation efforts. These activities frequently exploit existing political and societal tensions in the West, aiming to erode trust in institutions.
China also remains a key focus for BSI’s cybersecurity efforts. However, the nature of Chinese activity differs from ransomware, primarily involving targeted espionage. Plattner highlighted attempts to gain access to technological expertise, particularly within the high-tech sector. Additionally, politically motivated attacks on political parties, foundations and related organizations have been observed.
Plattner emphasized that not all information pertaining to these attacks can be publicly disclosed. However, she affirmed that the level of activity remains high and has not diminished over the past two years.