A new report from the renowned digital association Bitkom reveals that organized crime is increasingly attacking the German economy, causing annual damage of a staggering 206 billion euros. Data theft, industrial espionage and sabotage are the main instruments of these sinister machinations, which increasingly operate from Russia and China.
In the midst of this digital battlefield, 52 percent of companies feel their existence is threatened - a worrying increase of 9 percentage points compared to the previous year. The clock is ticking and the German economy is facing an unprecedented challenge.
The invisible danger from the East
The numbers are alarming: year after year, cyber criminals thwart the plans of the German economy and cause damage that exceeds our imagination. The current Bitkom study shows that 72 percent of all companies have fallen victim to attacks in the past twelve months.
In these digital wars, often fought in secret, two countries are coming into the spotlight: Russia and China. The Russian threat is growing inexorably: 46 percent of attacks are attributable to Russia - a worrying increase of 23 percentage points compared to the previous year. China is also catching up, with 42 percent of attacks coming from there. The German economy is in the digital firing line.
Organized crime and state interest: The boundaries are blurring
Crime merges with the interests of nations. A dangerous alliance between organized criminals and state-sponsored actors is blurring the lines between criminal activity and political intent. Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst warns: “The German economy is a highly attractive target for criminals and states hostile to us.” A collaboration that makes the digital battlefield more complex. Because who is friend and who is enemy?
But there is hope: the decline in attacks is a sign of the effectiveness of protective measures. Companies and security authorities must join forces to stop and expose the attackers.
The attackers are targeting data and people
The manner of the attacks changes, but the goal remains the same: the damage should be as great as possible. Sensitive data is the preferred prey, with 70 percent of companies reporting stolen information. Phishing attacks come first, followed by password hacking and malware infections. Ransomware is spreading like wildfire – an increase of 11 percentage points compared to last year. Cybercriminals use no means to achieve their goals.
The future in uncertainty
The outlook is bleak: 82 percent of companies expect an increase in cyber attacks in the next twelve months. The attacks are becoming more sophisticated, more aggressive and more dangerous. Nevertheless, companies are not remaining idle: they are upgrading, increasing their investments in IT security and recognizing that digital transformation and security must go hand in hand.
A wake-up call for everyone
The clock is ticking: the German economy is facing the greatest digital threat in its history. Companies must be prepared and vigilant because organized crime and its state allies are on the rise. Security authorities are waging an unprecedented battle to protect the country from digital attacks. It's time to be vigilant and not get trapped.
Conclusion: The digital battle is in full swing
The digital world is a battlefield where organized crime and state actors operate in secret. The German economy suffers annual damage of over 200 billion euros due to data theft, industrial espionage and sabotage.
Russia and China are the main players in this dark story, which continues to spread and blur the lines between criminal activity and state interests. But companies are defending themselves, arming themselves and recognizing the threat. The time has come to wake up and face digital reality.
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Source:
Bitkom: “Study on the situation of IT security in Germany 2023”
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )