“We already have confirmation that a cyber attack has taken place on PAP. Our systems indicate this,” Digital Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski told Gazeta Wyborcza. He reported that more similar attacks had been thwarted in recent days. The publication of a message on the PAP website about the beginning of the mobilization in Poland revealed massive shortcomings in the cybersecurity of the public media, following its violent takeover by, among others, people. Henryk Sienkiewicz.
Gawkowski confirmed that the telegram published by the Polish Press Agency about Poland’s mobilization and sending of troops to Ukraine was not a mistake or a joke, but a hacker attack.
Initial information from our systems confirms that it was a planned attack. There is now a cyber team that coordinates the work surrounding this event. We need to check all the details and find out where and how we were able to access PAP’s internal systems
– said the Minister of Digital Affairs. He added that the burglary case is being coordinated by the Internal Security Agency, which is assisted by NASK.
READ ALSO: Wave of reactions on the Internet after the publication of a false telegram in PAP! “And now we have the consequences of a massive battle with the public media.”
More cyber attacks during the campaign
The Digital Minister believes that the attack on the Polish Press Agency was the most serious incident of this type in Poland’s recent history.
From a journalistic point of view, certainly. Everyone uses PAP. However, I must admit that the Polish services have managed to thwart many other attacks on critical infrastructure in recent weeks. They would also be important to the citizens and felt by them
– said the Deputy Prime Minister in the government of Donald Tusk. He revealed that today we are experiencing a major increase in cyber attacks.
We have information that attempts to breach security in Poland’s critical infrastructure and in the field of disinformation will continue until the European Parliament elections. A week ago, the first arrests were made in connection with attacks and attempted attacks. For us it is now an everyday occurrence, something that can happen anywhere and to anyone. Sometimes we see a 100% increase in severity overnight. Let’s call it what it is: we are engaged in a cybernetic cold war with Russia
– politician from the left.
Such an effective attack on PAP, which fulfills an extremely important information function, gives much food for thought. The message about mobilizing and sending troops to Ukraine could not only cause enormous social confusion. It also gave attackers a chance to learn more about our defense and how to respond. At least before the forced takeover of the public media by people Sienkiewicz, this kind of situation never happened.
READ ALSO: Neo-PAP fails! What does the government say? Gawkowski: We will protect the Polish Press Agency from cyber attacks in the future
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Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.