German government still under cyber attack: Lawmaker

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - A major cyberattack which infiltrated the German government’s data network last year is still ongoing, the head of parliament’s intelligence committee said on Thursday.

Armin Schuster, a conservative lawmaker chairing the parliament’s intelligence oversight committee (PKGr), told reporters after a closed-door meeting that authorities are investigating the incident.

“This is an ongoing attack,” Schuster said, but declined to make any other comment.

“A public debate over the details would serve as a warning to the attackers, we don’t want to do that,” he added.

Local media reported on Wednesday that the Russian group APT28 infiltrated the German government’s data network used by ministries and security agencies.

In a written statement on Wednesday evening, the Interior Ministry confirmed that authorities are investigating an IT security incident following a cyberattack that targeted the German Federal Administration Information Network, also known as the IVBV.

“The attack was isolated and brought under control,” the ministry said, but made no comment on media claims that a Russian hacking group was behind the attack.

German news agency DPA reported earlier that authorities discovered the infiltration last December, but suspected that it had started months ago.