The President of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), Claudia Plattner, has cautioned against a continuing and escalating threat environment in cyberspace. Speaking to RTL and ntv television stations on Wednesday, Plattner stated that the situation remains “troubling” and requires constant vigilance.
She indicated that the threat landscape has not improved over the past two years; in fact, the number and sophistication of attacks have increased. A significant portion of these attacks involve ransomware, where malicious actors encrypt IT systems and demand payment for their release. Plattner specifically noted that many of these ransomware campaigns originate from Russia.
These actors are operating with a high degree of professionalism, often exfiltrating sensitive data before rendering systems unusable. Victims are then presented with a ransom note demanding payment in Bitcoin.
Russia’s involvement extends beyond ransomware to encompass hacktivism and disinformation campaigns, frequently linked to political or social tensions in the West. These campaigns aim to erode trust in institutions.
China is also a key focus for the BSI’s cybersecurity efforts. Rather than primarily focusing on ransomware, Chinese cyber activity is largely characterized by targeted espionage efforts. Plattner highlighted attempts to gain access to technological know-how, particularly in the high-tech sector. The agency has also observed politically motivated attacks on political parties, foundations and related organizations.
Plattner emphasized that not all information regarding these attacks can be made public, but confirmed that the level of activity is high and has not diminished in the last two years.
