Hacker attack paralyzes schools in Neustrelitz and Demmin - students affected!

Hacker attack paralyzes schools in Neustrelitz and Demmin - students affected!

Neustrelitz, Deutschland - In the picturesque region of Mecklenburg Lake District, there was concern of exciting news today. A suspected hacker attack has paralyzed the IT systems of several schools in Demmin and Neustrelitz. As reports [ndr.de] (https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommer/haff-mueritz/vergemmt-hackerfurge-auf-in-emmin-und-neustrelitz, Mv Regioneubrandenburg-112.html), the regional vocational education center Neustrelitz, the adult education center Neustrelitz are as well as several institutions in Demmin. The attack has caused the employees, teachers and students to work only to a limited extent with their electronic devices - from PCs to iPads to printers and smartphones. It becomes particularly problematic when it comes to maintaining certificate pressure and other school processes.

The incident is by no means an isolated case. According to the state data protection officer Sebastian Schmidt, the number of cyber attacks in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has increased significantly in recent years. In 2022, 322 data breakdowns were registered, and this number rose to 401. Schmidt emphasized that cyber attacks were about 25 % of these cases the cause of data panels and warns of a worrying tendency. goods.

rising threats and necessary measures

The cyber security situation in Germany is now classified as alarming. The Federal Report of the Federal Authority for IT Security (BSI) states that cybercriminals have professionalized their methods and use modern technologies. In addition, attack areas are increasingly exposed in digitization, which further exacerbates the situation (bsi.bund.de). Particularly noteworthy is the fact that in the first six months of 2024 the number of highly volume DDOS attacks has increased and ransomware attacks, which primarily target small and medium-sized companies and municipalities, are still on the rise.

The experts urgently advise improve IT security. Simple measures such as timely security updates and regular backups could prevent many data breakdowns. Schmidt also calls for the sensitization of employees to deal with emails and passwords. These basic security measures could be crucial to intercept such threats. Nordkurier emphasizes that a holistic approach is needed: manufacturers, operators and consumers have to work together to strengthen Germany's cyber resilience.

The present incident is not only an alarm signal for the affected schools, but also for all institutions in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which have to deal with the increasing threat to cybercrime. Fast action is required here to keep up in the digital age and to ensure security.