Yesterday morning, Poland’s State Registers System was targeted by a cyberattack, which was quickly repelled. The cybercriminals used a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, temporarily disrupting public services such as mObywatel, tax settlements, and car registrations. Despite these interruptions, the Ministry of Digital Affairs assured that no permanent damage was caused and that the system remained secure. The attack occurred on the final day to submit PIT and apply for benefits like the 800+ program, increasing the likelihood that the attackers aimed to cause widespread disruption.
The Ministry of Digital Affairs provided updates, confirming that between 10:00 and 11:00 AM, certain public services were inaccessible.
A representative from the Ministry, Monika Gembicka, clarified that the security of state registers, including personal data, was unaffected. Despite initial concerns, officials did not confirm that the attack had been successful in compromising data. The Polish Cyber Police and the Internal Security Agency have begun investigating the incident to track down the perpetrators.
While some services experienced temporary interruptions, Deputy Minister Paweł Olszewski reassured the public that no serious security breach occurred. He also stated that all affected services had resumed normal operation shortly after the disruption. Additionally, Krzysztof Gawkowski, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs, emphasized that Poland’s cybersecurity measures had been effective in defending against the attack. He reminded the public that the country faces frequent cyber threats, particularly from Russia, and that Poland’s cybersecurity infrastructure continues to protect critical services.
The State Registers System plays a crucial role in managing Poland’s national databases, such as PESEL, identity cards, passports, and voter registers.
These systems hold sensitive personal information and are integral to the country’s administrative functions. Following the DDoS attack, Poland remains vigilant in ensuring the security of its public services, with ongoing investigations into the incident. Poland’s cybersecurity agencies are dedicated to preventing further attacks, safeguarding the public’s data.
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