China Tops Cyberattack Charts: German Companies Under Siege
In recent years, cyberattacks have emerged as a significant threat to German companies, with their frequency rising at an alarming rate. According to a recent study by the digital association Bitkom, China became the largest source of cyberattacks on the German economy in 2023. Forty-five percent of affected companies reported that they were able to trace the attacks back to China, marking a 3% increase compared to the previous year.
One striking example of such attacks is the espionage activities of hackers, allegedly from China, targeting the automotive giant Volkswagen, which persisted over several years. Investigators indicate that the perpetrators sought access to the company’s technological developments. Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst noted that these figures underscore the tensions and conflicts in the modern world, where cybercrime has become a tool of warfare.
While the number of attacks originating from China has increased, the number of cyberattacks believed to be of Russian origin has, on the contrary, decreased. This year, 39% of surveyed companies believe they were targeted by attacks from Russia, a 7% drop from the previous year. However, about one-third of the respondents were unable to determine the source of the attacks, with some suspecting that the hackers operated from Germany or the United States.
Organized crime causes the greatest concern among companies, as they believe it is responsible for 70% of the attacks. The threat from foreign intelligence services is also growing: 20% of the attacks are attributed to them, a significant increase from the previous year, when this figure was just 7%. Additionally, a considerable number of attacks, around 27%, are linked to the revenge of current or former employees, which also raises alarm among businesses.
The Bitkom study revealed that 81% of companies in Germany have experienced data theft or sabotage in the past 12 months, with the total damage from such actions estimated at €267 billion, a 29% increase from the previous year. Moreover, the report highlights that cyberattacks are increasingly accompanied by corresponding physical crimes, such as the theft of IT equipment and industrial espionage.
The level of threat to German companies continues to grow. Two-thirds of enterprises believe that cyberattacks threaten their very existence, and this number is steadily increasing. Bitkom’s president emphasized the need for businesses to strengthen their protective measures, encompassing both digital and traditional security methods.
Sinan Selen, Vice President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, added that in relations with China, it is crucial to consider not only opportunities but also risks. In his view, it is necessary to assess partners with a clear understanding that close ties with Chinese state structures carry certain security threats.
