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Rise in Cyberattacks and Data Breaches in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

A report highlights increased cyberattacks and data breaches in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, focusing on significant incidents, data protection concerns related to car cameras, and calls for improved IT security.

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German

Germany

Germany CybersecurityData PrivacyData BreachIt Security

Landesdatenschutzbeauftragten Mecklenburg-VorpommernCourt In Berlin

Sebastian Schmidt

What recommendations or calls to action were made in the report?: The Landesdatenschutzbeauftragte emphasizes the importance of improved IT security, including timely security updates, regular data backups, employee training, and addressing the ongoing uncertainties about data protection within the courts.
What are the data protection concerns surrounding the use of cameras in cars?: The increasing use of car cameras for evidence gathering raises data protection concerns. The Landesdatenschutzbeauftragte deems continuous recording permissible only with short-cycle overwriting unless a specific reason for permanent storage exists, suggesting a one-to-two-minute cycle.
Describe a significant data breach mentioned in the report and its implications.: A significant data breach involved a lost USB drive containing unencrypted child abuse images. This highlighted the risks of data protection violations within courts, leading to calls for improved security measures and legal clarification.
What actions were taken by the data protection authority regarding data breaches?: Several fines were issued for data breaches involving police officers, a former court employee, a former caregiver, and a landlord who publicly displayed a court judgment with personal data. Some recipients have appealed the fines.
What is the overall trend in cyberattacks and data breaches in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern?: The number of cyberattacks in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, has increased, resulting in approximately 400 data breaches in 2023. While most attacks were successfully defended, some caused significant IT system disruptions.

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