“Berlin will not allow itself to be blackmailed,” said Wegner on Friday, commenting on the hackers' demands. According to Der Spiegel, the perpetrators demanded 30 bitcoins, which is approximately 2 million euros. ### The Attack Began in Early August The first signs of a data leak were detected between August 7 and 12. By August 14, authorities had disconnected two networks of one of the city’s departments. As a result, there were problems for several days with processing applications for housing benefits and the payment of some social benefits. Subsequent investigations revealed that the leaks could have affected other structures, particularly the city department responsible for transport and the environment. Berlin authorities do not rule out that personal data and other confidential information may have fallen into the hands of the perpetrators. According to Wegner, the state police, prosecutor's office, and federal security services have already joined the investigation. Specialists are currently trying to identify the organizers of the attack and determine the exact volume of information that was stolen. ### Hackers Claim to Have Stolen 5.79 Terabytes The hacker group Rhysida claimed responsibility for the cyberattack. On its resource in the dark web, it stated that it gained access to 5.79 terabytes of data from Berlin's information systems. According to the perpetrators, among the stolen items may be contracts, confidentiality agreements, employee personal files, passwords, and thousands of personal contact details. The hackers have launched a countdown. After it ends, they threaten to auction off the stolen information. The starting price is the same 30 bitcoins. Rhysida has been active since 2023 and links itself to numerous cyberattacks on government institutions and companies in various countries. Authorities and specialists continue to establish the origin and composition of the group. ### Less Than a Month Until the Elections The timing of the attack raises particular concern: it occurred less than a month before the municipal elections in Berlin. Senator for Internal Affairs Iris Spranger assured that the infrastructure related to the conduct of the elections was not harmed as a result of the cyberattack. Berlin authorities are currently maintaining a firm stance and do not intend to pay the hackers. Now the key question is whether the perpetrators actually possess the claimed volume of confidential data and whether they will carry out their threat to publish it after the countdown ends.
