Cyberattack from Russia – News AG

In a worrying incident, the German Air Traffic Control (DFS) in Langen, near Frankfurt, has suffered a hacker attack. This cyberattack, which affected the authority's office communications IT systems, was confirmed by a DFS spokesperson. Surprisingly, no disruptions to air traffic were recorded, which is reassuring news considering the serious nature attacks.

The attack reportedly occurred last week, but security agencies did not immediately take action to inform the public due to investigative reasons. The spokesperson said the agency responded quickly to the threat, which may have averted a larger or more complex disruption. However, it remains unclear whether hackers may have been able to gain access to data or whether they were simply “looking around” without gaining access to any meaningful information.

Involvement of APT 28

According to information from Bayerischer Rundfunk, the hacker group “APT 28” is linked to the attack. This group, which has been active in cyber espionage operations since 2004, is classified by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution as one of the most dangerous cyber actors in the world. Their motivations are primarily military and political, and they are known for hacking into the systems of organizations around the world.

APT 28's links to the Russian government are undeniable, as the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution states that this group is affiliated with the Russian military intelligence service GRU. APT 28 had previously been blamed for a cyber attack on the SPD in May 2023. Such attacks not only pose technical challenges for the institutions they threaten, but also raise serious questions about national security and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Although the DFS system is not yet completely out of the woods – there are still problems with operations – there is hope that the problems could be resolved by the middle of the week. However, the question remains as to how extensive the damage really was, with no reliable information yet available about possible data leaks.

In a world where digital infrastructure is becoming an increasingly important part of daily operations, this incident once again underscores the need for high security standards and protocols to protect systems from the constant threats from the cyber world.

The incident has also drawn attention to the dangers associated with state-sponsored cyberattacks and the importance of ensuring that companies and government agencies are well prepared and have appropriate security measures in place to protect against these types of threats.

In the coming days, German air traffic control will continue to work on a solution to the IT problems and, together with the security authorities, clarify what steps need to be taken to prevent such attacks in the future.