Deutsche Bahn Hit by Massive DDoS Cyber Attack: Impact on German Rail Network

Post Views: 14

Deutsche Bahn Hit by Large-Scale DDoS Attack

A large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack has been disrupting the IT systems of Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national rail operator, since February 17. The attack, which came in waves, has had a substantial impact on the company’s information and ticketing systems, including its websites and the DB Navigator app.

Attack’s Perpetrators and Motivations Unknown

Although the attack’s perpetrators and their motivations are currently unknown, it is worth noting that German transportation and critical infrastructure organizations have been targeted by pro-Russian hacktivists in the past. Groups such as Killnet and NoName057(16) have claimed responsibility for similar attacks in recent years.

DDoS attacks can serve various purposes, including drawing attention to a cause or extorting victims by threatening to continue the disruption unless a ransom is paid. These types of attacks have become increasingly powerful, with new records being set regularly. The largest DDoS attack on record, observed by Cloudflare in late 2025, peaked at 31.4 Tbps.

Impact and Response

Deutsche Bahn has not commented on the attack, but the company’s websites are still experiencing intermittent accessibility issues. The incident highlights the ongoing threat of DDoS attacks to critical infrastructure organizations and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to prevent and mitigate such disruptions.

Prevalence of DDoS Attacks

In recent years, DDoS attacks have been used by various threat actors, including cybercrime gangs and state-sponsored groups, to achieve their objectives. The use of DDoS attacks as a means of extortion has also become more prevalent, with attackers threatening to continue the disruption unless a ransom is paid.

Need for Robust DDoS Mitigation Strategies

The Deutsche Bahn attack is a reminder of the need for organizations to have robust DDoS mitigation strategies in place to prevent and respond to such incidents. This includes having adequate infrastructure and resources to absorb and redirect traffic, as well as incident response plans to quickly respond to and contain the attack.

International Cooperation and Information Sharing

The incident also highlights the importance of international cooperation and information sharing to combat the growing threat of DDoS attacks. By sharing information and best practices, organizations can better prepare for and respond to these types of attacks, reducing the risk of disruption and financial loss.