Over the weekend, Estonian government websites encountered a massive wave of DDoS attacks, marking the largest assault in the country’s history. Pro-Kremlin hackers claimed responsibility for the coordinated attacks, targeting numerous government institutions. Despite the severity of the attacks, quick responses from authorities and the implementation of preventive measures helped minimize their impact on the functioning of the institutions.
According to reports from the Postimees newspaper, spokespersons from the Estonian Information Systems Authority (RIA) stated that dozens of public sector websites were under attack on Saturday and Sunday. Notably, the websites of key institutions such as the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), the tax and customs board, and the Ministry of Justice were among the primary targets. Despite the intensity of the attacks, authorities managed to mitigate their effects through prompt action and effective preventive measures.
The RIA emphasized that the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to an escalation in cyberattacks targeting both Estonian public and private sector websites. Pro-Kremlin hacker groups have been actively claiming responsibility for these attacks, further exacerbating the cybersecurity challenges faced by Estonia. Despite the heightened threat landscape, the Estonian agency remains committed to defending against such attacks, underscoring the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures in safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring the resilience of digital systems.
