Berlin cuts two state ministries off government network after security breach
Berlin authorities have isolated two state ministries from the city's government network following a suspected security breach. The exact details of the attack, including the perpetrators and stolen data, remain unknown, but the disruption is impacting public services and forcing employees to rely on outdated communication methods.
Berlin authorities have taken the precautionary measure of disconnecting two state ministries from the city government’s IT network after discovering a suspected security breach. The decision was made on Monday, following an investigation initiated on Friday.
Officials have not yet disclosed who was behind the attack, how the attackers gained access to the systems, or whether any sensitive data was compromised. The investigation is ongoing, and the Senate Chancellery has declined to provide further details for investigative reasons.
The two ministries – one dealing with urban development, construction, and housing, and the other focused on mobility, transport, climate protection, and the environment – operate their portion of the state network independently of the city’s central IT service provider, ITDZ Berlin. Despite the isolation, both ministries remain operational, though employees are currently unable to access their usual IT systems, including email and internet, and are communicating via traditional methods like telephone, text message, and fax.
The disruption is impacting public services, specifically the processing of applications for housing benefits and education assistance at some district offices, which rely on systems managed by the affected urban development ministry. The situation is evolving, and the duration of the disconnection remains unclear.
German public broadcaster RBB reported that investigators believe attackers exploited a vulnerability within the IT systems of one of the affected ministries.