Effective strategies for the defense against cyber attacks in public institutions: Expert interview with Regio IT managing director Stefan Wolf

Effective strategies for the defense against cyber attacks in public institutions: Expert interview with Regio IT managing director Stefan Wolf

New technologies and state-guided hackers: Interview on the rising cyber threats

The rising cyber threats to public institutions have become a serious problem in recent years. The Regio-IT, a municipal IT service provider based in Aachen, is aware of this danger and works to better prepare cities and municipalities.

dr. Stefan Wolf, Managing Director of Regio-IT, emphasizes the current challenges in the field of IT security. Ransomware remains the biggest threat, and attacks are often done via known attack vectors such as phishing and data leaks. The use of AI tools by attackers makes the defense against such attacks even more difficult and requires increased investments in detection and reaction measures.

A central component of the efforts of Regio-IT is the computer Emergency Response Team, comCert. Originally founded as an information hub, the Komcert now offers extensive consulting services, from safety ratings to support in security incidents.

In the case of a cyber attack, quick action is crucial. An interrupted internet connection and a safe operating mode can limit the damage. Effective crisis communication, both internally and externally, is essential to inform those affected and plan further steps.

The collaboration with the police is also important because it has specialized units for cyber defense. Technical measures such as forensic analyzes and a clear recovery plan are crucial to restore normal operation after an attack.

prevention and sensitization measures are also of great importance. Regular training and awareness events can reduce the risk of attacks. Good backup management according to the 3-2-1 principle can be decisive in the event of an attack.

dr. Wolf emphasizes the importance of AI-based solutions such as XDR and log file analyzes. These technologies can help recognize attacks and react automatically to it.

Despite the increasing threat from state -guided hackers, Dr. Wolf optimistic. With the right technical measures, many attacks can be successfully warded off. The cooperation with Regio-IT and the Komcert offers municipalities additional support and resources to improve their cyber security.

Overall, the awareness of cyber threats in the municipalities has increased. It is important to prepare for an emergency and to minimize the response times. Even if attacks are inevitable, a proactive approach can help increase the security of the public institutions. - nag