Three years after a major cyberattack on Germany’s Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG), the German government revealed on Wednesday that the breach was carried out by state-sponsored Chinese hackers.
A spokesperson from the Foreign Office in Berlin stated, “We have confirmed that Chinese cyber actors, supported by their government, infiltrated the BKG network for espionage.” In response, the Chinese ambassador has been summoned for discussions.
The spokesperson emphasized that the German government’s conclusion is based on a comprehensive technical analysis. They strongly condemned the actions of the state-backed Chinese cyber operatives.
The BKG, which handles crucial data related to topography and cartography, provides essential information for various applications including online navigation. Accurate data is vital to prevent navigation errors that could lead drivers into unsafe areas.
This data also supports critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, water, and transportation. According to Maximilian Kall from the Interior Ministry, the hackers employed obfuscation networks—using devices from private homes and businesses to hide their tracks during the attack.
