Hülben community is in the midst of a significant cyber security incident, experiencing severe disruptions since Wednesday afternoon. Technical problems first surfaced on June 14, rendering the town hall’s administration inaccessible by phone or email. Cybersecurity experts confirmed the incident on June 15, leading to the shutdown of the administration’s IT systems. While facilities outside the town hall continue operations, essential tasks relying on connected servers are limited, prompting the development of substitute processes.
The town’s online booking system for appointments has been affected, with existing bookings for the next two weeks canceled, and new appointments unable to be scheduled during this period. The duration of the restrictions remains uncertain, with the IT systems expected to be unavailable until at least June 22. Forensic investigations are underway to determine the extent of potential data compromise, and authorities have reported no ransom demands to date. The police, including the Central Contact Point Cybercrime (ZAC) and Reutlingen police headquarters, are actively involved, and collaborative efforts are being coordinated at national, federal, and international levels to address the cybercrime incident.
As of now, it is unclear whether sensitive data has been accessed or published in the Darknet. Intensive forensic investigations are ongoing to ascertain the details, and the community assures that affected citizens will be notified if a data outflow is confirmed. The incident highlights the challenges faced by municipalities in maintaining cybersecurity and the need for comprehensive measures to safeguard sensitive information from cyber threats. Authorities emphasize transparent communication with the public, promising updates as the investigation progresses and a clearer understanding of the situation emerges.
