Berlin's justice senator allegedly hacked, with Iran as the primary suspect
In a concerning development, Berlin's Justice Senator Felor Badenberg (CDU) has become the target of a cyber attack, with suspicions pointing towards Iranian state-backed hackers. Badenberg, who was born in Tehran, Iran, and left the country at the age of 12 due to the Iran-Iraq War, has been a vocal critic of the Iranian regime.
The attack originated from an email that appeared to be from the Central Council of Jews, but was later discovered to be from an unknown partner. The Berlin Data Protection Officer and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution have also been informed.
The stolen data includes correspondence with individuals who have been in contact with Badenberg's leadership staff since February 1, 2023. However, it seems that only the Justice Administration was affected, as other Senate administrations do not appear to have been targeted.
Investigations into the nature, extent, and background of the crime have been initiated by the State Criminal Police Office and various other authorities. The trail of the attack seems to lead to Iran, with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, known for its cyber capabilities, considered a possible actor behind the breach.
The attack specifically targeted a single workstation computer within the senior management or executive division of the Berlin Senate Department of Justice. Sensitive personal data, such as emails and digital calendar entries containing appointments and contacts since February 1, 2023, were stolen and leaked. There are no indications that other devices or external IT systems were affected, and the Senate's operations continue uninterrupted.
Officials describe the cyberattack as a deliberate assault on a constitutional body, signaling a significant political dimension to the intrusion. Badenberg herself has suggested state involvement, describing the attack as a "professionally prepared attack" aimed at intimidating critical voices.
Badenberg has emphasised the need to strengthen the cybersecurity of public institutions, sensitise employees, and prosecute attacks under criminal law. She is particularly concerned about the security of her family due to the stolen calendar information. She believes that hacker attacks can lead to theft of confidential data and targeted manipulation of political debates.
Badenberg, who is known for her work as an "AfD hunter," became Justice Senator in Berlin in 2023 and is currently a member of the CDU. Prior to her role in Berlin, she worked at the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Cologne and became the vice-president.
As investigations continue, questions remain about whether the ITDZ is up-to-date in terms of cybersecurity, what the constitutional protection office knows about the hackers, and whether the Iranian intelligence service could be responsible for further cyberattacks. This incident underscores concerns about foreign cyber threats, especially from states with advanced cyber capabilities like Iran.
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