Security
BND boss warns of cyber attacks on LNG terminals
He sees the biggest cyber threats in Russia and China: BND President Bruno Kahl. photo
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
It is the silent attack with the click of a mouse that causes hundreds of billions in damage every year. The intelligence service warns that cyberattacks cannot only occur on companies.
“And the new facilities for landing liquefied gas should also be considered as possible additional targets beyond the known spectrum,” added the BND boss in a speech at the Baden-Württemberg Cybersecurity Forum.
Germany relies, among other things, on LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) as an alternative to Russian gas deliveries. It is rapidly building its own infrastructure for this purpose. In addition to the three LNG terminals currently in Wilhelmshaven, Brunsbüttel and Lubmin, further facilities are being prepared.
Threats from Russia and China
Kahl still sees Russia and China as the biggest cyber threats to Germany. “State actors in both countries are intensively active in cyber space in order to harm politics, administration, business, research and also society in Germany,” he said.
Attacks by much smaller states are also noticeable. “In the digital world, it is not primarily the size and mass, but above all the innovative strength and creativity when it comes to achieving the greatest possible impact,” explained the BND boss. This also applies online to topics such as espionage, sabotage, disinformation or cybercrime. “Consequently, even states that have limited resources for conventional armament are investing specifically in their cyber capabilities in order to achieve virtual gains in terrain.” Kahl mentioned, among others, North Korea, Vietnam and, above all, Iran. “Top-class intelligence-supported hacker groups” operated there.
However, states with powerful cyber actors are increasingly indifferent and even derogatory towards the apportionment of blame and the subsequent sanctions. “That increases the threat even more when you don’t have to worry about whether you are discovered or not, because the deterrent effect of detection decreases,” he said.
Companies have to arm themselves
In addition to hospitals and energy suppliers, banks and public administration, companies were also among the increasingly chosen targets of hackers and intelligence services abroad. “The digital holy grail probably doesn’t lie in any ministry, it probably lies with one of the hidden champions of German medium-sized businesses,” said Kahl.
From the perspective of Baden-Württemberg’s Interior Minister Thomas Strobl, companies in the southwest are not yet doing enough in the fight against cybercriminals and attacks from the Internet. “Cyber security must be a top priority,” said the CDU politician in the run-up to the forum. Human and financial investments are needed to combat cyber attacks. It is important to constantly check your own protection. “Vulnerabilities in your own systems must be actively sought, identified and eliminated.”
The German economy suffers damage of more than 200 billion euros every year due to cyber attacks. There is an urgent need for action. Cybercriminals are becoming more and more professional, so you have to stay on top of things.