A cyber attack on its industrial customer management department, the German armaments industry Rheinmetall, has admitted, clarifying that the attack affected the civilian automotive sector, but not that of military equipment.
“The sector that was attacked essentially includes the company’s activities which are aimed at industrial customers. The operation of the military sector continues as normal. Rheinmetall is currently investigating the extent of the damage and is in constant contact with the relevant authorities,” said company spokesman Oliver Hoffmann.
The Cologne Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that it is investigating the attack, but did not provide further information, while the first channel of the German public television ARD reported a while ago that the ZAC team of North Rhine-Westphalia, which is responsible for cyber crime. According to the channel, Rheinmetall, Germany’s largest military equipment group which was included in the DAX index in March, was the target of a cyber attack last month as well, but was not seriously damaged.
The company itself states that it is one of the three largest manufacturers of military vehicles and ammunition in the Western world, while playing a key role in supplying Ukraine with tanks and in the “circular exchange” of older tanks with more modern ones.
Source: AMPE