cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/10952035

• 37 percent of affected German companies attribute cyber attacks in the last 12 months to a foreign intelligence service, up from 7 percent in 2023
• Of the affected companies, 52% traced ⁠at least one attack to China and 49% to Russia, while 9% attributed ​an attack to Iran
• More than 211 billion euros of damages are caused by data theft, industrial espionage and sabotage

Here is the original report (available only in German).

German companies are increasingly being targeted by cyberattacks that they suspect are linked to foreign intelligence services, a study by digital industry association Bitkom showed on Wednesday.

More ​than one in three companies hit by cyberattacks, or 37%, said they ‌had attributed at least one incident in the past 12 months to a foreign intelligence service. That was up from 28% a year earlier and more than five times the 7% recorded ​in 2023.

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China and Russia were the main suspected sources of such attacks, with ​Iran seen playing a growing role. Of the affected companies, 52% traced ⁠at least one attack to China and 49% to Russia, while 9% attributed ​an attack to Iran. All three countries have denied conducting cyberattacks abroad.

German officials have warned ​in recent weeks of a growing threat from cyber and hybrid attacks.

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“Intelligence agencies make use ​of criminal structures; conversely, criminals are given free rein as long as they choose their targets in ‌line ⁠with political directives,” Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst said.

Annual total damage from data theft, industrial espionage and sabotage amounts to at least €211 billion, said Bitkom, which represents more than 2,200 companies in the digital economy and supports moves to strengthen cybersecurity.

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