UK intelligence hacks German firms

According to recent revelations, Britain’s GCHQ intelligence agency has been able to hack into German communications and satellite firms – a fact that will not likely be lost on businesses here, which may  keep a tighter rein on sensitive data as a result.

Edward Snowden, no stranger to whistle-blowing, feels that the most recent government data spying is shocking, despite what has gone on previously. Der Spiegel, a German news publication, claimed that a document held by Snowden revealed how Cornwall-based GCHQ staff infiltrated the networks of a number of high-tech firms in Germany. According to the report, the purpose was to keep a close eye on online traffic making its way around communications nodes, in addition to watching both their customers and employees.

Among the targets was IABG, the aerospace firm which counts the armed forces and Germany’s Defence Ministry among its customers.

The vice president of Information Security Forum, Steve Durbin, said in an email to SCMagazineUK.com:

“Organisations should reinforce basic information security arrangements. This means understanding what and where the most critical information assets are and their key vulnerabilities and the main threats against them.

“Standards and controls should be in place to mitigate the associated risks to these assets. Going up against a nation-state backed adversary is not a fair fight.”

Businesses cannot afford to turn a blind eye to hacking from competitors, and need the proper personnel in place to combat any potential issues. Posting adverts for information security jobs in the right places should attract a number of high-profile candidates, and will be a worthwhile investment if this latest incident is anything to go by.