- Research reveals an upward trend in cyberattacks directed towards businesses in Germany by China.
In a study conducted by Bitkom in Berlin, it was revealed that China has become the leading source of cyberattacks on the German economy over the past year. This was based on a survey of over 1,000 companies across various sectors, where 45% of the affected businesses could links their attacks to China, up from 42% in the previous year. On the other hand, 39% of the attacked companies were confident that the attacks came from Russia, an increase from 46% in the previous year.
However, 36% of the attacked companies were unable to pinpoint the location of their attackers. One in five attack victims (20%) suspected that the attacks originated from Germany itself, while a quarter (25%) suspected the USA as the origin. Eastern Europe was believed to be the source in 32% of cases, and the European Union, excluding Germany, was suspected in 21% of cases.
The survey also indicated that the majority of the attacked companies believed that the perpetrators were involved in organized crime (70%). This was a significant increase from the 7% who suspected foreign intelligence services in the previous year. Revenge by active or former employees accounted for 27% of the attacks.
Bitkom's survey further highlighted the extent of the threat. Eight out of ten companies in Germany (81%) reported that they had experienced data and IT equipment theft, as well as digital and analog industrial espionage or sabotage in the past year. An additional 10% suspected they had been targeted. The total damage caused by these analog and digital attacks was estimated by the affected parties at 267 billion euros, representing a 29% increase from the previous year.
Ralf Wintergerst, Bitkom's President, stated that the threat situation for the German economy was worsening. "Companies must strengthen their protective measures, both for digital and classic attacks such as tapping conversations or stealing physical documents," said Wintergerst. Cyberattacks now pose a major threat to the economy, with 65% of companies feeling threatened in their existence, an increase from 52% in the previous year and just 9% in 2021.
Despite the majority of attacks being traced back to China and Russia, some companies remain uncertain. Approximately 36% of the attacked companies cannot definitively identify the origins of their cyberattacks, with some suspecting 'Other' regions like Germany or the USA as potential sources.
Considering the global nature of cyber threats, it's crucial for companies to be vigilant against attacks from various 'Other' parts of the world, in addition to known sources like China and Russia.
