Germany Sees Record Rise in Cybercrime, Driven by Pro-Russian and Anti-Israeli Hackers

Germany experienced a record number of cybercrime cases last year, mainly due to aggressive hacker attacks by pro-Russian and anti-Israeli groups, according to a new report by the BKA (Federal Crime Office).

The German government has pledged to take stronger action in response. “Cybercrime is an increasing threat to our security,” said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. “These attacks are becoming more aggressive, but our response is also getting stronger.”

The BKA reported 131,391 cybercrime incidents within Germany in 2024. In addition, 201,877 attacks came from abroad or unknown locations.

Most of the attacks targeted public institutions and federal agencies, and were linked to politically motivated groups, especially those with pro-Russian or anti-Israeli ties.

One of the biggest concerns is ransomware—when hackers steal and lock data, demanding money to unlock it. Last year, 950 companies and organizations reported ransomware attacks in Germany.

The financial damage caused by cyberattacks is also growing. According to Germany’s digital industry association Bitkom, cybercrime cost the country €178.6 billion (about $203.87 billion) in 2024. That’s over €30 billion more than the year before.

To fight back, the German government plans to give law enforcement more tools to investigate cybercrime and to require higher cybersecurity standards from businesses.