Temporary Disruption of Online Applications at the Federal Employment Agency
Background
The Federal Employment Agency has temporarily suspended the online application process for benefits such as unemployment benefits due to a hacking attack on the accounts of several clients through their personal devices. In response to this, the agency has disabled the functionality for entering or changing IBAN account numbers and address data in the online form, in order to protect itself and its clients from cyber-attacks, said a spokesperson in Nuremberg.
Affected Customers
A three-figure number of customer profiles were affected by this incident. This was detected by the IT department of the Federal Employment Agency. The criminals had changed account connections on customer profiles. The Federal Employment Agency has filed a complaint. The Federal Data Protection Officer and the Federal Office for Security in Information Technology have also been informed. Payments to changed account connections have not yet been made, according to initial findings. (dpa/rs)
Steps Taken by the Agency
To protect itself and its clients, the Federal Employment Agency has taken the following steps:
- Disabled the functionality for entering or changing IBAN account numbers and address data in the online form
- Implemented measures to prevent further cyber-attacks
- Informed the Federal Data Protection Officer and the Federal Office for Security in Information Technology
- Filed a complaint with the authorities
- Is currently working on resolving the issue and restoring the online application process
FAQs
Q: What happened?
A: A hacking attack on the accounts of several clients through their personal devices.
Q: How many customer profiles were affected?
A: A three-figure number of customer profiles were affected.
Q: What measures has the Federal Employment Agency taken to protect itself and its clients?
A: The agency has disabled the functionality for entering or changing IBAN account numbers and address data in the online form, implemented measures to prevent further cyber-attacks, informed the Federal Data Protection Officer and the Federal Office for Security in Information Technology, filed a complaint with the authorities, and is currently working on resolving the issue and restoring the online application process.
Q: Will payments to changed account connections be made?
A: According to initial findings, payments to changed account connections have not yet been made.
