The key facts
- Alexander Dobrindt declared Germany's readiness to 'strike back in cyberspace' and said work is underway on a legal framework for this
- The trigger was cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration and freezing systems in France, Germany and other European countries
- Dobrindt named Russia as the main source of hybrid threats, also pointing to Iran and North Korea
Berlin announces preparation of cyber-response measures
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said at the annual autumn conference of the Federal Criminal Police Office in Berlin that the country is ready to 'strike back in cyberspace' and is already creating a legal framework for this. According to him, he is ready to put these measures into action.
The trigger — attacks on supermarkets
The statement was prompted by recent cyberattacks on cooling and freezing systems in supermarkets in France, Germany and other European countries. Dobrindt called what happened 'another hybrid attack of a new level' and stressed that the response must also be 'of a new level': the 'consequences, risks and costs' for those operating in the hybrid environment must increase.
Who, in the minister's view, stands behind the threats
Dobrindt warned that the main actor behind hybrid threats is Russia, adding that hybrid attacks also come from Iran and North Korea. He noted that cyberattacks on Germany have intensified in recent years: airports, railways, government services and industry — that is, critical infrastructure — have been hit by hackers. Specific details of the future legislative measures and their timeline were not disclosed in the statement.
