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🇩🇪 Germany /Technology

Berlin hack is a “genuine data super-catastrophe,” says Green lawmaker Konstantin von Notz

From Der Spiegel · () German

Translated from German and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Green lawmaker Konstantin von Notz said the cyberattack on Berlin’s administration appeared far more extensive than initially known and could be Germany’s most serious disclosed state-level IT security incident.
  • The Rhysida hacking group published stolen data after the Berlin Senate refused to pay a ransom reportedly worth millions of euros.
  • Berlin authorities and federal security agencies are assessing the leaked material, with priority given to information that could affect security-critical institutions.

Konstantin von Notz called the cyberattack on Berlin’s administration a “genuine data super-catastrophe” and warned that its consequences could reach far beyond the first reports. The Green parliamentary deputy accused both the state of Berlin and the federal government of failing to prevent the breach.

Speaking to Handelsblatt, von Notz said the attack appeared “much more far-reaching than initially known.” If investigators found that protective measures had been deliberately ignored and essential secrecy safeguards had not been maintained, he said, personnel consequences would be unavoidable.

a genuine data super-catastrophe

· Konstantin von NotzThe Green lawmaker described the scale and potential impact of the Berlin administration hack.

The published files apparently include numerous highly sensitive records, including information on critical infrastructure and emergency plans, von Notz said. He described the incident as potentially the most serious IT security breach yet disclosed at state level in Germany. He also said repeated warnings had not led to the closure of known security gaps and that the financial consequences could be substantial.

“The latest case in Berlin will cost taxpayers millions. The federal government bears direct responsibility,” von Notz said.

much more far-reaching than initially known

· Konstantin von NotzVon Notz assessed the attack in comments to Handelsblatt.

Rhysida released large quantities of stolen data online on Friday after the Berlin Senate refused to pay a ransom worth millions. Berlin’s Press and Information Office said the data was being assessed urgently. An additional coordination unit in the Senate Chancellery is overseeing the review, while Berlin’s criminal police, Senate departments, the state data protection authority, the state information security commissioner and other security bodies are involved.

The review follows a risk-based priority system. If it identifies immediate information affecting security-critical authorities or facilities, the relevant Senate departments will contact them without delay. The Federal Office for Information Security, the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution are also assisting. A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said the Joint Cyber Defence Centre was gathering and sharing all findings.

The latest case in Berlin will cost taxpayers millions. The federal government bears direct responsibility.

· Konstantin von NotzVon Notz criticized what he called federal failures to close known security gaps.
About this summary

Originally published by Der Spiegel in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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