Whether school administrations, community services or social services – cyber attacks on public institutions are increasing, also in the district of Munich. The district office registered an increase of 50 percent this year. But the attacked defend themselves.
The first attacks have already taken place: a few months ago, unknown hackers in Grünwald got their hands on data from district heating customers, and they recently blocked a server in the district office, so that schools no longer have access to their timetables and curricula. The damage is painful for those affected, but on the whole the people in the Munich district have so far gotten away with a black eye. But what if cyberattacks target power grids, water utilities and other parts of the so-called critical infrastructure? How well are the critical facilities prepared for such attacks?