BKA presents the “Bundeslagebild Cybercrime 2022” together with the digital association Bitkom
Cybercrime offences in Germany continue to be at a very high level. Last year, the police registered 136,865 cases of cybercrime. This is according to the Federal Situation Report Cybercrime 2022 published today. This means that the number of offences decreased by 6.5 percent compared to the previous year. However, as the situation report also shows on the basis of supplementary situation data, the number of offences committed from abroad and causing damage in Germany continued to increase, namely by 8 percent compared to the previous year.
Cybercrime continues to be one of the phenomena with the highest damage potential in Germany. According to the Economic Protection Report 2022, the cybercrime losses in Germany calculated by the digital association Bitkom amounted to 203 billion euros and are around twice as high as in 2019. Bitkom accompanied the presentation of the federal situation report in Wiesbaden with new results from a company survey, which underlined how affected companies in Germany are.
Around two thirds (63 percent) of the companies surveyed expect a cyber attack in the next 12 months, but not even half of them (43 percent) consider themselves well enough prepared for it. At the same time, 48 percent fear that a successful cyber attack could threaten their existence. 91 percent demand better equipment, 90 percent more powers for the police.
“Cybercrime is a threat to our economy and to our society,” says Bitkom President Dr Ralf Wintergerst, “companies and authorities alike are called upon to do more against cybercrime and should work more closely together to do so. Maximum cyber security is crucial for digital sovereignty and the competitiveness of Germany as a location for innovation.”
The situation remains serious, as ransomware attacks in particular can threaten the existence of companies. “The figures and developments presented today make it clear: We cannot afford to stand still in the fight against cybercrime. That is why we will continue to devote all our energy and expertise to ensuring security in the cyber space. We must not only be able to fight cyber attacks on critical infrastructures, public administration or supply chains, but also to better prevent them,” says BKA Vice President Martina Link.
