Berlin Launches Crisis Response After Hackers Publish Stolen Data

Reuters

A projection of cyber code on a hooded man is pictured in this illustration picture.

Berlin’s state government said on Saturday that it was conducting an urgent assessment of a large volume of stolen data published by a ransomware group, as investigators work to determine the scale and impact of a cyberattack targeting two government departments.

The cyberattack on Berlin's network came less than a month ⁠before the city-state holds elections on September 20.

The data was released on Friday after an auction put on by the Rhysida group for 5.79 terabytes of data at a starting price of 30 bitcoin ($77,622) ended after several days. Berlin had said that it would not submit to extortion.

A ‌central ⁠crisis unit will oversee the review, verification and assessment of the leaked data and support efforts to inform affected citizens and businesses, said the city.

Berlin ⁠described the hacking incident as "an extremely serious crime" and an attack on the state itself, urging the public ⁠not to spread unverified claims on social media.

Individuals affected by the data leak will be ⁠informed by the relevant authorities in accordance with German and European data protection rules, authorities said.

Source: Reuters



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