Lithuania experienced a series of cyberattacks on Monday, just one day before the scheduled NATO summit in Vilnius. The head of the National Cyber Security Centre, Liudas Alisauskas, revealed that the country was under ongoing distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which aim to overwhelm systems with internet traffic and disrupt normal functioning.
The cyberattacks specifically targeted the Vilnius municipality’s websites, including essential services such as tourism information and a public transport app.
As Lithuania prepares to host the NATO summit, the government has reinforced its cybersecurity measures, collaborating with intelligence agencies, police, and foreign partners.
These cyber incidents not only impacted vital services but also included the hacking of a regional radio station, interrupting its broadcast with disinformation targeting NATO and Ukraine.
Additionally, Lithuanian telecommunications provider Telia reported the identification of calls on Telegram channels planning attacks against various Lithuanian state institutions and companies. With the NATO summit imminent, ensuring the security and stability of the country’s systems has become paramount.
The National Cyber Security Centre has bolstered its workforce to address the ongoing threats and intensify cooperation with relevant stakeholders.
As NATO leaders converge in Vilnius for the summit, the cyberattacks serve as a reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the need for international collaboration to protect against such threats.
