During the GLOBSEC international security conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, the electronic systems and parking services in the capital were disrupted by a massive DDoS cyber-attack.
An anti-NATO group, which city hall has chosen not to name, claimed responsibility for the attack, expressing their opposition to US and NATO actions. The city hall’s website was disabled, but Mayor Matus Vallo assured that no data had been breached.
Efforts were underway to restore services, with cooperation from the National Security Bureau, the government’s CSIRT cybersecurity unit, and the internet provider.
GLOBSEC’s conference, which focuses on various security topics including hybrid threats and support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, was connected to the cyber-attack through the use of the hashtag #GLOBSEC in the group’s Twitter posts.
The unidentified cyber group claimed responsibility for the attack and expressed their intention to prevent what they perceive as the US and NATO leading society into a potential third world war. The same group also took credit for the cyber-attacks on Hiroshima during the G7 summit, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Additionally, the cyber-attack impacted Bratislava’s parking services, leading City Hall to suspend the issuance of parking tickets for the day as people were unable to pay for them.
Authorities are working diligently to restore the affected services and have engaged in communication and coordination with relevant cybersecurity units and agencies to address the situation promptly.
