Power failure due to cyber attack in Germany: Expert warns of possible effects

Since the start of the Ukraine war, there has also been a threat to cyber security in Germany. Authorities advise to prepare sufficiently.

Kassel – In the event of a sustained power outage in Germany, the consequences could be devastating. Cell phones no longer have network reception. It may be dark and, over time, also cold. The internet, as well as computers and televisions, would go on strike. And ATMs are shutting down too. The concern that such a case could occur as a result of a cyber attack in Germany is increasing due to the Ukraine conflict*.

“Particularly serious would be failures in information and telecommunications, supply failures in water and waste water supply and in the food sector. Health care and averting danger, which are of essential importance for society, would also be massively affected,” says the website of the Federal Office for Civil Protection.

Facilities such as hospitals have an emergency generator. This is mainly required for the function of life-support devices. After 48 hours at the latest, however, the situation there becomes more critical. Hygiene measures can no longer be guaranteed. Nuclear power plants could also pose a great danger if the reactors can no longer be adequately cooled due to a lack of supply, according to ARD.

Power failure due to hacker attack: Situation between Russia and Ukraine as the cause

But how can such a widespread power outage happen? There are various causes. On the one hand, environmental disasters such as storms or floods. Attacks can also lead to the collapse of the energy system. Due to the Ukraine conflict, hacker attacks from Russia are currently the main threat.

The past has already shown how quickly a hacker attack can occur and what effects it could have on various areas. Shops like Saturn and Mediamarkt have already been victims of a hacker attack*. A cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline, the largest gas pipeline in the United States, sparked major concern in the energy industry in May last year. The attackers were assigned by the FBI to the Darkside hacker group suspected of being in Russia. They shut down the pipeline for five days and extorted millions of dollars.

War in Ukraine: Germany ill-prepared for power failure

The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) recognizes an increased threat for Germany due to the tense situation in the Ukraine war. “Since the beginning of the Russian attack on Ukraine, there have been few unrelated IT security incidents in Germany, but they only had isolated effects.” The BSI advises increasing IT security measures. This applies above all to companies, authorities and organisations.

According to the insurance association GDV, there is a lack of provisions in Germany for longer power outages with potentially catastrophic consequences. For an article published on the GDV website, the association interviewed several civil protection officers and crisis managers. Many of them expressed concern. Albrecht Broemme, the former president of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, considers hacker attacks to be the greatest danger.

Prepare for blackout by hacker attack from Russia

According to GDV, a blackout is “one of the greatest risks for our country,” says Wolfram Geier, Head of Risk Management and International Affairs at the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance. And even GDV General Manager Jörg Asmussen agrees: “Unfortunately, we in Germany are not adequately prepared for the consequences of a widespread power blackout.”

Even if the BSI does not see any acute and immediate danger at the moment, this situation can change at any time. The further developments of the Ukraine war are uncertain and can change quickly. The Federal Office for Disaster Control advises all citizens to prepare.

The supply without outside help should be guaranteed for everyone for at least 14 days, according to the ARD. The BSI has published an emergency care checklist* that citizens can use to buy supplies for emergencies. (fh/dpa) *hna.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.