Germany’s cybersecurity posture remains precarious, according to the latest annual report released Tuesday by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), a finding underscored by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. While resilience within critical infrastructure is incrementally improving, the nation remains significantly vulnerable in the digital sphere. The report highlights persistent shortcomings in the protection of numerous digital systems, servers and online services, readily exploited by malicious actors to gain network access or steal data.
Web applications are identified as a particularly acute area of concern, frequently lacking adequate security measures. Misconfigured or unprotected servers, compounded by delayed or absent patching of known vulnerabilities, continue to provide easy inroads for attackers. Alarmingly, the number of newly discovered vulnerabilities daily increased by 24% between July 2024 and June 2025. This surge is intrinsically linked to the accelerating pace of digitalization, where rapidly deployed internet-based applications, if inadequately secured, become prime targets.
“Essentially, any institution or individual accessible via the internet is potentially at risk” stated BSI President Claudia Plattner. “Cybercriminals infiltrate wherever it’s easiest and then assess the potential for damage. It’s a stark reality.
While financially motivated cybercrime decreased by 9% year-on-year – attributable to successful international investigations involving the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the BSI – professionally organized ransomware groups continue to represent the most significant threat. The report emphasizes a marked increase in activity from state-sponsored actors, deploying sophisticated, long-term operations aimed at achieving political or economic objectives. Escalating global conflicts are widening the scope of these risks. The report specifically highlights potential vulnerabilities within cloud environments, energy supply chains and the automotive industry, where manufacturers and providers retain extensive and often unmonitored access to systems and data.
The widening gap between the cybersecurity capabilities of large operators, who are increasingly investing in robust protective measures and the limited resources and awareness among smaller and medium-sized enterprises is a growing concern. This disparity extends to municipalities, political organizations, associations and political parties, leaving them exposed. Consumer behavior is also flagged as a critical weakness, with many users demonstrating a lack of vigilance regarding IT security. The BSI urges wider adoption of measures like passkeys, strong passwords combined with two-factor authentication and regular software updates. Manufacturers and service providers are specifically called upon to equip their products and services with security features by default.
In response to the escalating threat landscape, the Ministry of Interior (BMI) plans to establish a “Cyberdome” an automated system for detecting, analyzing and responding to cyberattacks. Simultaneously, the cyber defense authority of security agencies will be strengthened to enable active prevention, mitigation and interruption of severe attacks. However, critics argue that technological solutions alone are insufficient and that a fundamental shift in cybersecurity culture, alongside greater investment in personnel and education, is urgently needed to adequately safeguard Germany’s digital infrastructure.
