Germany Threatens Russia With 'Consequences' For 2023 Cyber Attack

The German government has today accused Russia's military intelligence service (GRU) of being behind a cyber attack last year that targeted the Social Democratic party (SPD), the party of chancellor Olaf Scholz, claiming that it now has clear evidence that Russian state-sponsored hackers Fancy Bear made an “intolerable” attack in 2023.

In June 2023, the SPD announced that cyber criminals had targeted email accounts belonging to its executives earlier that year. The attack succeeded in taking the SPD websites offline, reportedly  in response to  the Germany government’s decision to supply armoured vehicles to Ukraine.

In January 2023, Germany was moving towards a decision to send modern tanks to Ukraine and the attack on the SPD was originally attributed to the Russian hacking group known as Killnet. As a NATO member, Germany has been amongst those providing military support to Ukraine and there have also been recent accusations of significant increased espionage.  

Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister said “Today we can say unambiguously that we can attribute this cyber attack to a group called APT28, which is steered by the military intelligence service of Russia... In other words, it was a state-sponsored Russian cyber attack on Germany, and this is absolutely intolerable and unacceptable and will have consequences.”

Baerbock is visiting Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, on a trip focusing on security policy. Her visit comes as China pushes for more influence in the Pacific region.  “The defence cooperation between Germany and Australia is close and we would like to deepen it further and together expand it, because we are in a situation where we face similar threats,” said Baerbock. 

Fancy Bear, also known as APT28, or Pawn Storm, has been accused of many cyberattacks around the world. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre describes the group is “a highly skilled threat actor” that has “used tools including X-Tunnel, X-Agent and CompuTrace to penetrate target networks”.

Baerbock spoke after a meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Adelaide, South Australia.
Wong said Australia was "deeply troubled" by the cyber activity raised by Baerbock. "Australia stands in solidarity with Germany in calling out states that act contrary to the norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace," the Australian minister said. 

DW   |   Reuters   |   Euronews   |   Guardian   |    Moscow Times   |    Times of India   |

Image: Francesco Luca Labianca

You Might Also Read: 

Russian Hackers Are A Global Threat:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

If you like this website and use the comprehensive 6,500-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

  • Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
  • Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible


 

« Volkswagen Hacked, Critical Data Stolen
Attacks Against Cisco Firewall Platforms »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

Alvacomm

Alvacomm

Alvacomm offers holistic VIP cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Our solutions include risk assessment, threat detection, incident response.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

Cyber Security Recruiters

Cyber Security Recruiters

Cyber Security Recruiters is a niche recruiting firm who finds impact players for our clients in the Information Security Space.

Secusmart

Secusmart

Secusmart provide highly secure and encrypted speech and data communication solutions.

ATIS Systems

ATIS Systems

ATIS Systems offers first-class complete solutions for legal interception, mediation, data retention, and IT forensics.

Omada

Omada

Omada is a leading provider of IT security solutions and services for identity management and access governance.

Charities Security Forum (CSF)

Charities Security Forum (CSF)

The Charities Security Forum is the premier membership group for information security people working for charities and not-for-profits in the UK.

NeuroChain

NeuroChain

NeuroChain is an intelligent ecosystem that is more secure, more reliable and much faster than blockchain.

Center for Education & Research in Information Assurance & Security (CERIAS)

Center for Education & Research in Information Assurance & Security (CERIAS)

CERIAS is one of the world’s leading centers for research and education in areas of information and cyber security.

Lewis Brisbois

Lewis Brisbois

Lewis Brisbois offers legal practice in more than 40 specialties, and a multitude of sub-specialties including Data Privacy & Cybersecurity.

TM One

TM One

TM One is the enterprise and public sector business solutions arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) Group.

Capital Network Solutions

Capital Network Solutions

Capital Network Solutions are a highly accredited managed IT services and consultancy provider, specialising in cyber security, infrastructure and communications.

Pratum

Pratum

Pratum is an information security services firm that helps clients solve challenges based on risk, not fear.

BCyber

BCyber

BCyber is a Swiss Cyber Security company that provides security products, training, and managed services to protect diverse IT and OT environments against cyber, physical, and cyber-physical threats.

Mutare

Mutare

For three decades, Mutare has been empowering organizations to re-imagine a better way to connect through our transformative voice security, digital voice and text messaging solutions.

Darknone Global

Darknone Global

Darknone is a consortium of elite hackers and security leaders united by an unbridled passion for augmenting the security of the digital realm.

Beetles Cyber Security

Beetles Cyber Security

Beetles is a crowdsourced penetration testing platform designed to build a trusted, hacker-centric approach to protectan organization’s digital attack surface.

Waterleaf International

Waterleaf International

Waterleaf provide advanced network and cybersecurity solutions - informed by data sciences. Transforming Connectivity, Security and Information for Municipalities, Government & Enterprise.