Hackers Reportedly Target Wind-Energy Companies

European wind-energy companies have reportedly been targeted by hackers—or been affected by cyberattacks on their suppliers—since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Nordex SE and Deutsche Windtechnik AG have both reported cyber incidents over the last few months. A third German company, Enercon GmbH, told the Journal it was "collateral damage" when Viasat was hacked at the start of the invasion.

The severity of the hacks varies. Nordex SE had to shut down its IT systems; Deutsche Windtechnik AG couldn't remotely control about 2,000 turbines for at least a day; and Enercon GmbH lost remote access to some 5,800 turbines because of the Viasat hack.

The notorious Conti ransomware gang has reportedly claimed responsibility for the March hack of Nordex SE; the Journal says that security experts are currently investigating the possibility that it was involved with the April hack of Deutsche Windtechnik AG as well.

Nordlocker said in October 2021 that Conti was responsible for at least 450 ransomware attacks since the start of 2020. The group said it planned to support Russia following its invasion of Ukraine—which almost immediately resulted in the publication of internal chats and source code.

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Germany currently imports oil from Russia, but it's looking to transition to renewable energy sources like wind farms, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on April 8 that the country might be able to stop importing fossil fuels from Russia as early as the end of the year.

It wouldn't come as a surprise, then, to learn that Conti targeted these German companies specifically because they could help the country wean itself off Russian oil sooner than later. Or perhaps it's just looking for lucrative targets.