Berlin cuts two state ministries off government network after security breach

Two Berlin state ministries have been cut off from the city government’s IT network after authorities discovered a security breach.

The affected ministries — one responsible for urban development, construction and housing, and the other for mobility, transport, climate protection and the environment — have been isolated from government networks since Friday as a precaution, the Berlin Senate Chancellery said in a statement on Monday.

Officials have not said who was behind the breach, how the attackers gained access or whether any data was stolen. It is also unclear when the intrusion occurred.

“The security of the state network is the top priority,” the Senate Chancellery said. “For investigative reasons, no further specific information about the scope or background can currently be provided.”

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

German public broadcaster RBB reported, citing government sources, that attackers allegedly exploited a vulnerability in the IT systems of one of the affected ministries.

Berlin's state-owned IT service provider, ITDZ Berlin, was not affected by the breach, according to RBB. The two affected ministries share some IT infrastructure and operate their part of the state network independently of ITDZ.

Both ministries remain operational, but employees have been cut off from their usual IT systems, including email and internet access, forcing them to communicate by telephone, text message and fax, according to RBB.

The disruption has also affected some public services. Applications for housing benefits and education and participation assistance cannot currently be processed at some district offices because they rely on systems operated by the affected urban development ministry, according to other local media reports.

Authorities have not said how long the ministries are expected to remain disconnected from the state network.