We are on the front lines of cyber warfare. Over 40,000 attacks per year

We record over 40 thousand cyberattacks per year, mainly from Russia and Belarus - this is the information we heard on Thursday at a briefing at the Philharmonic in Szczecin, preceding a conference on digital security. The event was attended by, among others, Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Rafał Rosiński.

- Cybersecurity is important to us every day. It is important when shopping, it is important when voting. We have no doubt that attempts may be made to influence the outcome of Polish elections by using various techniques related to computer warfare. We must be very sensitive to this - said the Marshal of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Olgierd Geblewicz. - As local government officials, we also see this threat in our daily work. Two years ago, the system of the Marshal's Office of the Mazovian Voivodeship was very seriously attacked. This was an important warning. In West Pomerania, we have invested heavily in the security of our servers.

Olgierd Geblewicz argued that these are some of the best security measures in Poland, as far as local governments are concerned. But he added that "the enemy is not sleeping" and technology is constantly developing. This is evidenced by the March attack on the IT system of the hospital in Krakow. And local governments are responsible for hospitals - and for many other critical infrastructure facilities.

- The number of attacks has exceeded 40 thousand per year in terms of hacking attempts. It has increased by 30 percent. This is not a coincidence - said the Marshal. - If we add to this the not very stable behavior of previous allies and partners in the United States, which is also a cyber power, then we must be aware that we must ensure our own security in Europe.

- The attacks are mainly from Russia and Belarus - admitted Rafał Rosiński. - As the Ministry of Digital Affairs, and subordinate units, such as the Scientific Academic Computer Network, also in cooperation with the Internal Security Agency and the Ministry of National Defense, we act to prevent cyberattacks, to prevent data leaks, to make Poles feel safe. Often, the weak point is a human being. That is why we focus on digital hygiene. We have the PWCyber ​​program, where we cooperate with companies that train institutions so that digital competences are improved.

Thursday's event was linked to the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. ©℗

(ace)