Cybercrime on the Rise: German Businesses Suffer Record Losses

Berlin, Germany - A Growing Concern for Businesses

German businesses have been hit hard by cybercrime, with record losses of 223 billion euros in the past year. According to a survey conducted by Bitkom Research, 83% of companies expect the number of attacks to increase in the coming months.

Sources of Cybercrime

The majority of attacks came from within Germany, with 43% of affected companies suspecting domestic origin. Eastern Europe, China, and Russia were also frequently identified as sources of cybercrime.

Ransomware Attacks: A Major Threat

Ransomware attacks have emerged as a major threat to German businesses, with 96% of companies viewing themselves as threatened by such attacks. Exploiting new security holes, or zero-day vulnerabilities, was feared by 95% of respondents.

Organized Crime on the Rise

The survey also found that organized crime is becoming increasingly prevalent in Germany, with 29% of affected companies tracing back attacks to organized criminal groups - a significant increase from previous years.

Call for Action

The German business community is calling for stronger action against foreign cyberattacks, increased EU cooperation on cybersecurity, and improved information sharing between the government and businesses. Ninety-four percent of respondents would like to see a funding program established for IT security measures for remote workers.

Bitkom’s Appeal

Bitkom’s president, Oliver Reichel, has appealed to the new federal government to take action to protect German businesses against cyber threats. “Protecting German businesses is crucial to ensuring the continued success and global appeal of Germany as a business location,” he said. “More action is needed at all levels during the next legislative period.”

Survey Results

The survey results are representative of the business community as a whole, providing insight into the growing threat posed by cybercrime in Germany. As the country’s businesses continue to suffer losses, it remains to be seen how effectively the government will respond to these concerns.

Key Statistics:

• Record losses of 223 billion euros in the past year
• 83% of companies expect an increase in attacks in the coming months
• 43% of affected companies suspect domestic origin of attacks
• 96% of companies view themselves as threatened by ransomware attacks
• 29% of affected companies trace back attacks to organized criminal groups