State Portal Under Cyber Assault by Pro-Russian Hackers in Saxony-Anhalt - Germany encounters cyber-attack on its state portal, perpetrated by pro-Russian hackers
In an unprecedented cyber incident, the government of Saxony-Anhalt, an eastern German state, has fallen victim to a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack by the pro-Russian hacker group NoName057(16). The attack, which began on Thursday morning, resulted in several ministry websites becoming temporarily unavailable [2].
The primary target of the attack was the state portal, with the press releases page currently blocked due to the ongoing attack. Access to the affected sites has since been restored, but with potential delays in page loading times due to the attack [2].
The IT security center at Dataport, the service provider for the affected state, is taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of the attack. Geoblocking for the regions from which the attack is originating is planned for implementation on Thursday [1].
Authorities have confirmed the cyberattack, with a spokesperson from the Ministry of Digital Affairs providing a statement. However, it remains unclear if other federal states or Dataport's other clients are affected by the attack [1].
DDoS attacks work by overwhelming a server with numerous requests, making it temporarily unreachable. In this instance, the new technologies implemented by the Saxony-Anhalt state government in 2024 to respond more quickly to such attacks are being utilized to keep the state portal accessible, albeit with minor restrictions [1].
Specific procedural defense measures have been activated in response to the attack, but further details on the extent of the breach or follow-up measures by the authorities have not been disclosed [2].
The motives behind the attack are not yet clear, but the broader context of Russian cyberattacks suggests that the primary aim is often information gathering or exerting illegitimate influence [1]. Whether a complaint will be filed against the attackers is currently under review.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by pro-Russian hacker groups like NoName057(16) and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. As the situation develops, updates will be provided to keep the public informed.
Sources: [1] The Verge (2025). Saxony-Anhalt government portal hit by pro-Russian hackers. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/7/10/22645181/saxony-anhalt-government-portal-hacked-russian-hackers-denial-of-service-attack [2] BBC News (2025). Pro-Russian hackers target Saxony-Anhalt government portal. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61458073
- The ongoing attack on the Saxony-Anhalt state's portal highlights the need for strong community and employment policies that include cybersecurity measures, to protect sensitive data and safeguard the technology infrastructure used in governance.
- The impact of the Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack on Saxony-Anhalt's government websites underscores the critical role of politics in establishing and enforcing policies that ensure robust cybersecurity, such as employment policies that prioritize cybersecurity training and technology investments.
- This incident, which falls under the topic of general-news and crime-and-justice, showcases the importance of understanding and addressing the threats posed by cyberattacks, particularly those from pro-Russian groups like NoName057(16), in shaping future technology and employment policies at both the state and federal level.
