Attack 3 years ago - Federal government: China behind cyber attack on federal office
Three years after a severe cyberattack on the Federal Office for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG), the federal government has attributed the attack to Chinese hackers. "Today, we know that state-sponsored Chinese cyber actors infiltrated the BKG network for espionage purposes," said a spokesperson for the Foreign Office in Berlin. The Chinese ambassador has been summoned as a result of this finding.
The attribution of the attack was made "based on a thorough technical analysis," the spokesperson added. The Bundesamt, which provides geodata, plays a crucial role, including for critical infrastructure facilities - such as energy providers, waterworks, and transport companies.
Interior Ministry: Hackers used obfuscation networks
The spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Maximilian Kall, explained that the attackers had used so-called obfuscation networks. This refers to hackers using devices in private households and companies for an attack to conceal their tracks.
"The federal government condemns in the strongest terms the cyberattack by state-sponsored Chinese actors against the Federal Office for Cartography and Geodesy." said the spokesperson for the Foreign Office.
The Federal Office for Cartography and Geodesy, located in Germany, was targeted in the cyberattack. The federal government is currently strengthening its cybersecurity measures to prevent similar attacks in the future.
