According to the study, the losses include direct costs resulting from business interruptions, costs of responding to attacks, extortion operations, litigation, in addition to indirect losses such as loss of competitive advantage, leakage of trade secrets, or identity theft.
In response to the increasing cyber threats, the German government approved a new bill in July aimed at enhancing cybersecurity, requiring about 30,000 companies to take specific measures to protect their digital infrastructure from potential attacks.
In another context, the German Federal Statistical Office revealed last week that the number of registered corporate bankruptcies in the first half of 2025 rose by 12.2% compared to the same period last year, highlighting the economic challenges facing Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government in its pursuit of growth.
Trier stated, “We face economic value and innovation daily,” noting that many companies are still suffering from liquidity pressures after two years of contraction, according to Western media. The chamber expects bankruptcy cases to exceed 22,000 companies during 2025, compared to 21,812 cases in 2024, which is the highest level since 2015.
During the summer, economic indicators show a bleak picture for the recovery of the German economy, especially after the contraction of the GDP in the second quarter, along with the implications of the new US tariffs on the export sector. Preliminary estimates revealed an 11.6% increase in August on an annual basis.
The Statistical Office clarified that these figures are still preliminary, as they are calculated three months after the start of court proceedings and are only included after the first judicial decision is issued. Stephen Muller, head of bankruptcy research at one institution, said: “Although indicators suggest an increase in bankruptcies in the fall, its impact on the labor market will likely remain limited.”
It is noteworthy that the number of unemployed people in Germany has exceeded 3 million for the first time in more than a decade.
