Germany Enhances Cybersecurity Ahead of Elections

Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has called for strengthened cybersecurity measures as the country prepares for snap elections on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government. Highlighting the threats posed by hacker attacks and disinformation, particularly from Russia, Faeser emphasized the necessity to protect democracy in the digital realm. The Federal Office for Information Security reported a high threat level, identifying 22 Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups targeting public and private sectors. Although previous elections did not witness significant cyber incidents, authorities remain vigilant, enhancing security protocols to counteract potential digital interference. The government's modernization of IT security legislation in 2024 aims to enforce cybersecurity practices across more sectors. As the political landscape shifts, security agencies are on high alert to address evolving cyber threats.