Hacker attack on Berlin administration: Senate rejects extortion
Following a cyber-attack on Berlin's data network, the state of Berlin is now being subjected to extortion. Governing Mayor Kai Wegner is ruling out any response to the perpetrators' demands.
Berlin Senate under pressure after cyber-attack and ransom demand
After the hacker attack on the Berlin administration's data network, the state of Berlin is facing an extortion attempt. "The state of Berlin is being extorted," declared Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) following an emergency session of the Senate at the Red Town Hall. The Senate would not respond to the extortionists' demands, Wegner announced. He did not provide details about the specific form of the extortion.
According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, ransom demands have now been received by the state of Berlin – although official confirmation is still outstanding. According to RBB, the administration can no longer rule out that personal data has also been affected. The broadcaster describes the attack as the largest cyber incident in the history of the state of Berlin.
The attack became known on 14 August. The affected Senate administrations for transport and for construction and housing were subsequently temporarily disconnected from the state network. The Berlin State Criminal Police Office and the Public Prosecutor's Office are investigating.
According to current findings, the hackers had gained access to the network at least one week before it was discovered. Data flowed out between 7 and 12 August, a Senate spokesperson said in response to an enquiry from dpa. The exact time the attack began remains unclear – an earlier time is considered possible. What data and to what extent ended up in foreign hands remains open.
Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) assured that the Berlin elections on 20 September were not jeopardised by the attack. "According to current information, no data has flowed out there," said Spranger. "The voting environment is secure according to our security officials." She directed a clear message to the extortionists: "We will not be extorted, and we will not allow ourselves to be extorted." The Federal Interior Minister had been informed of the matter the evening before and had made all federal authorities available to the Senate.
Demands for comprehensive investigation came from the opposition. Green Party faction chair Bettina Jarasch called for the Senate to quickly gain a reliable picture of the threat situation and to comprehensively inform parliament. "If the ransom demand actually comes from the attackers, it must be clear: the operational capacity of our state is not for sale," Jarasch declared.
AfD faction chair Kristin Brinker accused the Senate of downplaying the matter before the election. "This salami slicing tactic is unacceptable," she criticised. It must be disclosed what is known about the attackers and to what extent they had access to Berlin's administration IT systems.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung