Following the confirmation of an extortion attempt against the state of Berlin, further details have emerged: The hackers who infiltrated Berlin’s state network and stole data are now demanding 30 Bitcoins in return. At the current exchange rate, 30 Bitcoins are worth approximately two million euros.
The perpetrator is a cyber extortion group called Rhysida. According to Der Spiegel, “involved security circles” confirmed that the extortionists are Rhysida. Rhysida is not an unknown group: “They have, for example, already attacked and extorted the state capital Stuttgart,”. “There was a very similar pattern to what we are seeing in Berlin.”
Rbb reported that at least 100,000 files had been stolen. The Rhysida group claims that more than 1.4 million files were scanned. The stolen items allegedly include around 46,000 contracts, more than 11,000 confidential documents, nearly 6,000 passwords, approximately 16,000 emails, and 148 IBAN account numbers. Furthermore, the data is said to include access credentials for executives and documents related to disciplinary proceedings.
The hackers are also said to possess analyses regarding the “vulnerability of Berlin’s water supply.” Excerpts from various documents are shown as evidence of the successful hack.
“Regardless of the amount demanded or the method of extortion, we will not allow this extortion to take place in the federal capital and in Berlin,” said Berlin’s Senator for the Interior, Iris Spranger (SPD), on Friday afternoon.
Data had been leaking since at least August 7, a week before the breach was discovered, explained State Secretary for Digital Affairs Florian Hauer. On August 14, a week later, the Senate Departments for Transport and Urban Development were disconnected from the rest of the state network for security reasons.
