IHK Elbe-Weser fights against cyber attacks and blackouts - this is how companies are prepared!

IHK Elbe-Weser fights against cyber attacks and blackouts - this is how companies are prepared!

In a world in which cyber attacks and other threats are increasing, the IHK Elbe-Weser has launched a new “Security & Defense Working Group”. The aim of this initiative is to prepare companies in the region for the complex challenges surrounding cybersecurity, espionage and the dangers of extreme weather. As the District newspaper weekly reports, the entrepreneurs recently gathered at the Bundeswehr logistics school in Garlstedt to address the topic of resilience.

The background to the founding of the working group is not least the worrying state of the security situation, particularly exacerbated by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Siegfried Deutsch, the deputy general manager of the IHK, emphasized the importance of proactively addressing current issues surrounding security and resilience. Lieutenant Colonel Kai Prozeske added that national resilience must also include civil society and the private sector.

Current threats and challenges

The situation is tense: According to a study by Bitkom, 81% of companies were victims of cyber attacks last year, an increase of 9% compared to the previous year. Cyberattacks are increasingly taking the form of AI-powered phishing, ransomware-as-a-service, and DDoS attacks. Security Insiders emphasizes that insider risks and the vulnerabilities of employees, subcontractors and business partners often play a major role.

The numbers are alarming: the damage caused by organized crime and economic espionage has doubled in just three years. Jörg Peine-Paulsen from the Lower Saxony Office for the Protection of the Constitution reported an increase in damage from 223 billion euros in 2021 to 267 billion euros in 2024. He warned that companies should urgently review their processes and create emergency plans, especially with regard to supply chains, IT security and power supply.

Practical support for companies

In order to support companies in the region, the IHK Elbe-Weser provided an online checklist for crisis cases. This is under www.ihk.de/elbeweser/checkliste-kritik available. “We have to ensure that companies prepare better internally for such threats, especially with regard to the availability of employees who are active as reservists or with the THW,” emphasized Deutsch. The Lower Saxony IHKs are also working on a solution to obtain legally secure information about such employees.

The cyber security situation should not be underestimated. A recently published report by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) shows that attackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated by making better use of existing attack surfaces. Measures to increase resilience must include prevention, defense and management. Training and educating employees are of central importance, as is the case Federal Office for Security in Information Technology communicates.

In order to meet the challenges of the digital threat situation, a well-thought-out cyber security strategy and regular reviews of the IT security situation are essential. Investing in cybersecurity can not only prevent damage, but also increase customer trust, as 43% of companies lost customers after a cyberattack and 47% reported difficulties in acquiring customers.

Anyone who is interested in this topic in more detail or is looking for support can contact Siegfried Deutsch on 04231 – 9246232 or by email siegfried.deutsch@elbeweser.ihk.de available. It remains important that companies in the region work together to protect themselves against growing threats.