Berlin government network hacked, access to several ministries cut off

The office of the head of the Berlin state government said on Monday (17/8) that access for several state ministries to the government IT network had been cut off following a security breach.

The office said an investigative team was working to handle the incident and determine its scope.

“The investigation has revealed a security breach on the Berlin state network. All relevant agencies are working around the clock to secure the network,” according to a statement from the office.

As a precautionary measure, the authorities cut off access for several ministries—including the ministry responsible for climate action as well as construction and housing—from the network on Friday.

Officials did not disclose whether those departments remained fully operational, whether any data had been stolen, or who might be behind the attack.

The Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office, the State Criminal Police Office, and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) are investigating the incident.

“The security of the state network is a top priority. In the interest of the investigation, no further specific information regarding the scope or background of this incident can be provided at this time,” the statement said.

The affected system, known as BeLa, is a secure high-speed fibre-optic network connecting around 600 government locations and public facilities across the city-state.

The system is fully operated by ITDZ Berlin.

The security breach occurred amid repeated warnings about rising cyber and hybrid threats targeting public institutions, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

In June, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said, “Germany is not in a state of war, but we are the target of a hybrid war every day,” describing such threats as “the shadow war of the 21st century.”