Over 333,000 cyberattacks were recorded in Germany and abroad in 2024. Authorities are concerned about their effective and rapid response. Cyberattacks are constantly a matter in public dialogue in Germany. But do everyone understand what this is exactly?

One of the basic forms of cyberattacks

One of the main forms of cyberattacks is DDOS (Distribute-Denial-of-Service) attacks, which aim to stop networking services and block a digital service-such as a government website, a university or a telecommunications company website. Public services, political leadership, big businesses are usually targeted. And the purpose is to intensify the feeling of insecurity of the world.

This is the new reality

Experts estimate that such attacks are part of the new reality. The question is how the authorities and individuals will be able to protect themselves in the best possible way.

Often the problems of a cyberattack are relatively easily restored. However, there are times when their impacts are serious, such as in the case of the Anthalt-Witerfeld area, whose services have received cyberattack in 2021 and remained offline for about half a year.

Hackers even do not hesitate to hit even key infrastructure such as hospitals, power plants and rail networks – in other words vital infrastructure, attacks that may have devastating consequences for residents of the areas in which they are.

Criminals ask for ransom

Anonymous hackers who execute such cyberattacks often call for ransom in order to “release” the digital system again.

According to the Federal Criminal Service (BKA) in Germany and abroad more than 333,000 cyberattacks were recorded in 2024. And the most frightening: the dark number of cyberspace violations is said to exceed 90%. The worry is also that dealing with attacks is increasingly complicated, because hackers “seem to be becoming more and more professional,” BKA President Holger Minhs explains.

Authorities find it difficult to cope with artificial intelligence technologies used in attacks. According to Minh, “the treatment strategies work, but we have to act more effectively and faster.”

Prevent sabotage with the help of technology

This year’s conference on national cyber security in Potsdam had their honor businesses planning technologies aimed at preventing sabotage and attacks on key infrastructure. These technologies, for example, have the ability to detect suspicious activity near power cables, telecommunications and elsewhere.

In general there are ways to protect important infrastructure. But for this to happen, among other things, the IT systems of the German state must be modernized, as well as the risk of cyberattacks by private entrepreneurs.

Finally, it is important to strengthen the cooperation of the state and the economy in this industry. Only in this way will the future cyberattacks be able to avoid faster and easier, but also to feel more safe.

Curated by: George Passas