Berlin Government Network Hit by Security Breach, Ministries Disconnected

BERLIN, Aug. 17:  Several Berlin state ministries have been disconnected from the government’s IT network following a security breach, as authorities work to contain the incident and determine its scope.

Berlin’s premier’s office said investigations had confirmed a breach in the state network and that relevant agencies were working around the clock to secure the system.

Several ministries, including those responsible for climate action, building and housing, were disconnected from the network on Friday as a precaution. Authorities have not disclosed whether the affected departments remain fully operational, whether any data was stolen or who may be behind the incident.

The Berlin public prosecutor’s office, State Criminal Police Office and Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) are investigating the breach.

The affected system, known as BeLa, is a secure high-speed fiber-optic network connecting around 600 government and public-sector sites across Berlin. It is operated by ITDZ Berlin.

Authorities declined to provide further details about the scale or background of the breach, citing investigative reasons.

The incident comes amid growing warnings about cyberattacks and hybrid threats targeting Germany’s public institutions, businesses and critical infrastructure.

In June, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned that Germany was facing persistent hybrid threats, describing them as the “shadow wars of the 21st century