Cyber Attack Hits German Air Traffic Control

The German air traffic control agency, Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), has confirmed that it was hit by a cyber attack disrupting its office communications. The recent attack affected the company’s IT infrastructure but has not impact air traffic control operations and flights were unaffected.

This cyber attack was probably done by APT28, also known as Fancy Bear, a notorious hacker group closely linked to the Russian military intelligence service GRU.

APT28 has been cyber hacking government agencies, political organisations, and media outlets across Europe and North America since 2004. The group has a history of attacks on critical infrastructure. But in Germany, APT28 is known for a cyber attack against the Bundestag in 2015.

A DFS spokesperson confirmed that the attack happened and has said that they are implementing defensive measures. The nature of the attack remains unclear, and it is not yet known whether any sensitive data was compromised.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has been notified, and the incident is under investigation.

The BfV, which has monitored APT28’s activities for years, emphasises the group’s ties to the GRU, suggesting that the attack may have geopolitical motivations beyond mere criminal intent. Authorities have not said anything about the ongoing investigation, with the Federal Ministry of Transport overseeing DFS, referring inquiries back to the agency itself.

The involvement of APT28, if confirmed, would underscore the geo-political dimensions of the attack

APT28 has been implicated in a lot of cyber attacks with politically motivated goals, and its links to the Russian GRU suggest that such incidents may be part of broader efforts to influence international affairs and promote political instability.

The Record     |     TEISS     |     BR24     |     Commercial Risk     |     Pravda     |     Euro Integration

Image: Pixabay

You Might Also Read: 

Russia’s Cyber Strategy:

If you like this website and use the comprehensive 7,000-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

• Inquiries: Contact Cyber Security Intelligence 

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible