Theft of IT equipment and data, as well as espionage and digital sabotage, could cost Germany 206 billion euros in 2023. (Source: Shutterstock) |
According to a survey by the German Digital Association (Bitkom), with more than 1,000 companies, the damage to the economy is estimated to exceed 200 billion euros for the third consecutive year.
“The German economy is a very attractive target for cybercriminals and hostile forces. The line between organized crime and state-controlled actors is very blurred,” said Bitkom Chairman Ralf Wintergerst.
About 75% of companies surveyed said they had experienced digital attacks in the past 12 months, down slightly from 84% surveyed last year.
According to the head of Bitkom, although the number of companies experiencing data theft has decreased slightly, which is a positive sign and shows that protective measures are working, for the first time, 52% of companies surveyed are concerned that cyberattacks could threaten their survival, up from 45% last year and up sharply from 9% in 2021. Of the companies that were attacked, 70% had sensitive data stolen, up more than 4% from the previous year. Similarly, 61% of companies had their digital communications monitored, up 4%.
The agency's response to the growing threat is to significantly strengthen cooperation with partners, detect and quickly respond to attacks, and constantly adjust defense mechanisms, said Sinan Selen, chairman of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
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