Johannesstift continues to fight: cyber attack paralyzes Berlin clinics!

Johannesstift continues to fight: cyber attack paralyzes Berlin clinics!

A dramatic hacker attack has put the Johannesstift Diakonie in Berlin in a digital state of emergency! The IT systems of the renowned institutions were attacked two weeks ago and the consequences are devastating. Although the clinics and care facilities are bursting with energy, people are still fighting the consequences of the attack!

Just ten days after the incident, the systems are anything but stable. Telephone communication is the only way to reach patients and relatives, while the documentation of important patient data falls back to the good old paper form! IT experts express concern: “Such a long duration of disruption is extremely unusual,” explains Johannes Rundfeldt from AG Kritis. A successful return to regular IT operations will be a challenge given the severity of the attack and the possible inadequate security precautions!

Red alert in cyber security

The alarm bells are ringing! The digital space is currently a dangerous place. Gerhard Schabhüser, a leading expert at the Federal Office for Information Security, describes the threat situation as “worrying”. Health services appear to be particularly acutely in the crosshairs of criminals, with the Caritas Clinic Dominikus becoming another victim just a few months ago.

And while the Johannesstift Diakonie is licking its digital wounds, experts are observing an alarming increase in cyberattacks from Russia. Matthias Schulze from the Hamburg Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy warns: “The frequency and number of hits have increased enormously since July.” Around five serious attacks per week, not only in Germany, but also in neighboring countries such as Poland and Great Britain! Who is behind the shocking attack on the Johannesstift Diakonie remains a mystery, but the feeling of uncertainty hovers over digital Germany.