Security → Re: German parliament may need to replace all software and hardware after hack

It sounds like they are certainly overreacting to a high degree. Maybe, just maybe all their software needs to be replaced although it's highly likely the right person could even repair it. The hardware however is a completely different matter, there is no way that it needs to be replaced completely. Maybe in the worst case the hard drives would need to be replaced but all other hardware should be completely reusable without question.

It kind of sounds like maybe they are using this as an excuse to get a complete new system for their use!

I'd be cautious about the "no way" part. A computer BIOS or router firmware can be modified in some instances, and if the attacker is skilled and specifically targeting a system, removal could be impossible (thing flashing a firmware with a compromised version that blocks further full updates and spoofs some settings to appear that it was actually updated). And sometimes it's easier and more cost-effective to replace an old piece of hardware than spend a good chunk of money trying to fix it.