Germany registers near-doubling of cyber-attacks in 2010

Dec 27, 2010, 15:00 GMT

Berlin - German authorities registered around 1,600 foreign attacks on computers and mainframes in 2010, of which the majority emanated from China, a government spokesman said on Monday.

The figure was almost double the 900 cyber-attacks registered the previous year, according to Interior Ministry spokesman Stefan Paris, confirming media reports.

'Germany is a highly technological country with a great deal of knowledge. Of course others want to access this knowledge,' Paris said. In particular, he said they were interested in government networks and the economic sector.

'Thirty years ago the spy had a small camera, infiltrated somewhere, opened a suitcase, took photos, disappeared and drank a cocktail,' Paris said, adding that modern-day spies arrived electronically.

Germany is to set up a cyber-defence centre in the coming year, bringing together expertise in order to recognize attacks and develop counter-strategies, the spokesman added.

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