An increase in cyberespionage activities targeting political parties in Germany has been reported ahead of the upcoming European Union elections, according to warnings issued by German federal agencies. The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution have attributed these phishing attacks to nation-state hackers.
The BSI spokesperson expressed concerns about potential phishing attacks aimed at publishing stolen data or documents, raising the threat level for the targeted political parties. While the specific country behind the attacks was not disclosed, the agencies confirmed that they are linked to a nation-state group.
This latest alert follows a previous warning from security firm Mandiant about a Russian hacking campaign targeting political parties in Germany. Mandiant traced the campaign back to the Russian state-sponsored hacking group APT29, also known as Midnight Blizzard and the Dukes, which operates under the Foreign Intelligence Service.
Recent revelations from Western intelligence agencies have exposed espionage campaigns targeting lawmakers across Europe, with the UK attributing Chinese nation-state group APT31 to espionage activities. In response to these escalating cyber threats, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced plans to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities by revamping its military forces to include a specialized unit focused on electronic warfare and cyberwarfare.
The increase in cyberattacks targeting political parties and critical infrastructure in Germany underscores the growing importance of cybersecurity measures in the lead-up to the European elections. Authorities are urging vigilance and caution to prevent further breaches and protect sensitive information from malicious actors.
