Bruno Kahl, the head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service, has issued a warning about the potential for state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in the country.
Furthermore, this alert comes as Germany seeks to reduce its gas dependency on Russia, which had a significant impact on its GDP due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The country has chartered three new LNG terminals with plans for more, but Kahl stressed that these new facilities should be considered as potential targets for cyberattacks.
Despite recent controversies surrounding Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and criticism of Kahl’s leadership during the Ukrainian invasion, he emphasized the ongoing cyber threats posed by Russia and China to Germany.
These nations are actively engaged in cyberspace activities aimed at disrupting various sectors, including politics, administration, business, research, and society within Germany. Kahl also highlighted that smaller states like North Korea, Vietnam, and Iran are making significant investments in cyber capabilities to achieve virtual gains.
Earlier this year, Germany’s domestic intelligence service raised concerns about hacking groups supported by the Iranian regime targeting dissident organizations and individuals in the country. Kahl’s warning underscores the evolving cyber threat landscape and the need for robust cybersecurity measures, especially in critical infrastructure like LNG terminals, to safeguard against state-sponsored cyberattacks and their potentially severe consequences.
