2021 - The year of ransomware

The number of recorded cybercrimes reached a new high in 2021. The German police crime statistics (PKS) record 146,363 offenses in the phenomenon area of cybercrime, which corresponds to an increase of more than twelve percent compared to the previous year. This is reported in the current "Bundeslagebild Cybercrime 2021" of the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).

It is becoming clear: The significance of cybercrime is growing steadily and crime is shifting more and more into the digital space. The increasing interlinking of international supply chains and the further acceleration of digitization as a result of the Corona pandemic are among the factors contributing to this.

"The federal situation report shows that the threat posed by cybercrime remains very high. In addition to purely monetary damages, ransomware attacks on companies, critical infrastructures and public administration or entire supply chains also impaired the functioning of the community at home and abroad. Particularly in the area of ransomware, the threat potential has thus once again increased significantly in 2021," said BKA Vice President Martina Link.

The situation report also underscores that attackers are becoming increasingly professional and, with "crime-as-a-service" model, also operate with a high degree of division of labor. In addition to public institutions, e-commerce, the healthcare and education sectors, and CRITIS, almost every industry has become a target for cybercrime in 2021.

In view of this threat situation, firewalls or virus protection programs are no longer sufficient. Companies, authorities and organizations need stronger and more reliable protection mechanisms. The best protection against attacks from the Internet is a virtual browser, such as the R&S®Browser in the Box. R&S® Browser in the Box was developed on behalf of the BSI and, like BSI-approved solutions, meets particularly strict specifications and high security standards.