The EU’s cybersecurity chief has highlighted a concerning trend: since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, attacks with geopolitical motives have been on the rise.
According to Juhan Lepassaar, head of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), there has been a notable uptick in disruptive cyber attacks, many of which can be attributed to Russia-backed groups, in recent months.
Lepassaar revealed that the number of hacktivist attacks aimed at European infrastructure, orchestrated by threat actors seeking to cause disruption, has doubled from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024.
To counter these threats, ENISA has been conducting exercises and consultations to bolster the resilience of election-related agencies ahead of the upcoming June European elections.
In its annual report for 2023, ENISA documented a surge in ransomware attacks and incidents targeting public institutions. Lepassaar noted that these attack methods, while mostly unsuccessful, were often trialed in Ukraine before being deployed across EU countries, framing them as part of Russia’s broader digital aggression strategy.
Lepassaar also underscored the growing threat posed by AI-enabled disinformation and information manipulation, as highlighted by cybersecurity agencies across EU countries. To address emerging digital threats, both US and European experts are collaborating with security agencies to anticipate vulnerabilities in various sectors, including food production, satellite management, and self-driving vehicles.
Looking ahead, Lepassaar emphasized the need for cybersecurity to become ingrained in the mindset of both designers and consumers. He likened it to the awareness and vigilance individuals exhibit when navigating everyday traffic environments, stressing the importance of cultivating similar behaviors and habits in digital environments to enhance overall security.
Source: euronews.com
