Inquiry reveals growing cyber-threat at institutions

German parliament calls for action as tech systems face onslaught of nefarious activity

The number of cyberattacks against non-academic science institutions in Germany has risen sharply over the past three years, according to the country’s research ministry.

Responding to an inquiry into the issue, the ministry revealed that there were 24 such attacks in 2018, but 63 in 2019. A total of 172 attacks on the computer systems of research institutions were reported between 2010 and 2019, according to the response, with only two to three taking place annually between 2010 and 2012.