German businesses face intensified cybersecurity threats, with 15 percent of companies reporting a successful cyberattack in the past 12 months, according to a recent survey by the TÜV-Verband, a German technical inspection association. The survey, conducted in collaboration with the market research firm Ipsos, found that the number of companies hit by successful cyberattacks has increased by four percentage points compared to a similar study two years ago.
The majority of companies, 91 percent, rate their cybersecurity as good or very good, but a significant proportion, 27 percent, downplay the importance of IT security, with some even viewing it as a minor or non-issue. However, a majority of 56 percent of the respondents believe that all companies should be required to take adequate measures to ensure their cybersecurity and 84 percent of the affected companies reported phishing attacks, a 12 percentage point increase from two years ago.
The use of artificial intelligence in cyberattacks is a growing concern, with 51 percent of IT security decision-makers noting that they have observed cyberattacks in their company that utilize AI. The majority of respondents, 82 percent, believe that AI enables attackers to exploit vulnerabilities in a company’s IT systems more effectively and 89 percent agree that AI contributes to the efficiency and targeted nature of attacks.
On the other hand, only 10 percent of the companies surveyed use AI for cybersecurity, with a further 10 percent planning to do so, mainly to recognize threats better, identify anomalies in data, analyze vulnerabilities, or respond automatically to attacks. The survey also found that companies have taken various measures to improve their cybersecurity, including investing in secure hardware, introducing new cybersecurity software, seeking external expert advice and training employees.