Security News > 2024 > February > German state of Hessen says systems encrypted by ransomware
The German state of Hessen has been hit with a ransomware attack, causing the government to shut down IT systems and disrupting the availability of its consumer advice center.
Hessen is a state in central Germany with over six million people that encompasses Frankfurt, the country's second-largest metropolitan area and a major financial center.
The more worrying aspect of the cyberattack is the possibility of a data breach that could have impacted many Hessen citizens.
Hessen authorities declared that they are in no position to determine whether any data had been stolen at this stage of the investigation but will inform affected individuals if and when a personal data compromise is confirmed.
"The data on the server and some backup systems is currently encrypted. It is not yet clear whether or which data has been leaked. As soon as it becomes clear, those affected will be informed." - Hessen.
The state's data protection and IT security offices have been informed about the cybersecurity incident, and a criminal complaint has been filed with the Hessen police.