IT expert accuses the state of Berlin of gross negligence after a hacker attack
After the outflow of millions of files on the Darknet, IT expert Manuel Atug sharply criticized the state of Berlin. He accuses the authorities of disregarding secrecy regulations.
Quick Look
After a massive cyber attack on the Berlin administration with the leakage of 5.8 terabytes of data, IT expert Manuel Atug accuses the state of Berlin of gross negligence and disregard for confidentiality regulations.
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Why It Matters
After a cyber attack on the Berlin administration, 1.44 million files totaling 5.8 terabytes were published on the dark web after a ransom payment was refused.
The IT expert Manuel Atug makes serious accusations against the state of Berlin after the hacker attack and the outflow of large amounts of data. “The state of Berlin acted with gross negligence and intentionally failed to comply with secrecy regulations,” he told the German Press Agency. “I am really shocked and speechless about this.” There are very strict and precise regulations as well as several security levels for the storage and processing of secret documents. Apparently these were not applied sufficiently.
Atug is the founder and spokesperson of AG Kritis, an independent working group that deals with critical infrastructures. He works as a security consultant for critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructure refers to all those areas whose impairment or failure can lead to supply bottlenecks, disruptions to public safety and other dramatic consequences. These include, for example, energy, information technology, transport, traffic, health, water, nutrition, finance and insurance, government and administration as well as media.
“You don’t have good cybersecurity”
Atug said he had been invited twice as an expert to the Berlin Interior Committee, once in 2023 and once in 2025. At that time, he pointed out glaring security gaps to those responsible: “You are practicing desolate cybersecurity. You urgently need to take care of your security processes.” He warned that neglecting security would have serious consequences. “That’s exactly what has happened now.”
After a cyber attack on the Berlin administration, around 1.44 million files with a size of 5.8 terabytes were published on the dark web on Friday. The criminal hacker group Rhysida had withdrawn the data unnoticed in mid-August and demanded a ransom of 30 Bitcoin - the equivalent of around two million euros. The Senate did not pay the ransom.
Open Questions
- Which specific government data is affected by the outflow?
- How does the Berlin Senate react to the serious allegations?
