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

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

There was worrying news in the picturesque Mecklenburg Lake District region today. A suspected hacker attack has paralyzed the IT systems of several schools in Demmin and Neustrelitz. As ndr.de reports, the Neustrelitz Regional Vocational Training Center, the Neustrelitz special school, the Neustrelitz adult education center and several institutions in Demmin are affected. The attack has left staff, teachers and students limited in their ability to work with their electronic devices - from PCs and iPads to printers and smartphones. It becomes particularly problematic when it comes to maintaining pressure for certificates and other school processes.

The incident is by no means an isolated incident. 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 breaches were recorded, and this number rose to 401 the following year. Schmidt emphasizes that cyberattacks were the cause of data breaches in around 25% of these cases and warns of a worrying trend.Northern Courierreports that the IT systems in Schwerin and Ludwigslust-Parchim were impaired for weeks after a similar attack.

Increasing threats and necessary measures

The cybersecurity situation in Germany is now classified as alarming. The report by the Federal IT Security Authority (BSI) finds that cybercriminals have professionalized their methods and use modern technologies. In addition, attack surfaces are increasingly being uncovered in digitalization, which further exacerbates the situation (bsi.bund.de). Of particular note is the fact that in the first six months of 2024, the number of high-volume DDoS attacks increased and ransomware attacks, which primarily target small and medium-sized businesses and municipalities, continue to be on the rise.

The experts urgently recommend improving IT security. Simple measures such as timely security updates and regular backups could prevent many data breaches. Schmidt also calls for employees to be more aware of how to handle emails and passwords. These basic security precautions could be crucial to countering such threats.Northern Courierhighlights that a holistic approach is also needed: manufacturers, operators and consumers must work together to strengthen Germany's cyber resilience.

Given today's events, the importance of these measures is clearer than ever. The forecast says that the disruptions in the affected schools are likely to continue tomorrow, which could significantly impact everyday school life. It remains to be seen what further steps will be taken to ensure the security of IT systems in educational institutions.

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