Polish financial institutions have found themselves in the crosshairs of a global wave of cyberattacks. In recent weeks, hackers have targeted loan companies, the BLIK mobile payment system, and the country’s largest banks. According to Check Point Software Technologies, Polish financial institutions are subjected to an alarming 1,850 cyberattacks per week.
The Minister of Digital Affairs has warned that our confidential data may become a valuable prize for cybercriminals. Experts at Check Point reinforce these concerns, stating that the Polish financial system is currently among the most vulnerable in Europe.
30% Rise in Attacks: Poland Above Global Average
According to the Check Point Security Report 2025, the number of cyberattacks on the global financial sector rose by 30% in 2024, averaging 1,510 attacks per week. Poland significantly exceeds this figure, with 1,850 weekly attacks specifically targeting financial institutions.
“The financial sector forms the backbone of the global economy, which makes it one of the most at-risk industries for cyberattacks. As online banking, mobile transactions and fintech innovations continue to grow, so too do the threats. Cybercriminals constantly exploit vulnerabilities in financial applications, which is why robust security measures are essential to protect customer data,” says Wojciech Głażewski, Country Manager at Check Point Software Technologies in Poland.
The ENISA Threat Landscape in Finance Sector report notes that the financial sector in Europe has recorded 488 publicly confirmed cybersecurity incidents, with banks being the most commonly attacked (46% of all cases). Public financial institutions and individual clients are also frequent targets.
The biggest threats include:
- DDoS attacks
- Data breaches
- Ransomware
- Social engineering
- Online fraud
- Supply chain cyberattacks
Many of these have roots in geopolitical conflicts, which are fueling hacker activity in Central and Eastern Europe.
Balancing Innovation and Security
The financial sector today stands at the crossroads of innovation and security. In 2024, AI-related spending in finance grew by 30.7% year-over-year, reaching more than $1.4 billion USD. Automation, real-time data analytics, and generative AI models are becoming the new standard—but they also introduce new vulnerabilities.
“Understanding how financial institutions can balance the need for innovation with the imperative of securing operations through strong cybersecurity and AI risk management strategies will be one of the key challenges of the coming years,” analysts at Check Point explain.
1 in 5 Cyberattacks Worldwide Targets Finance
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), over the past two decades, financial organizations have suffered more than 20,000 cyberattacks, resulting in losses exceeding $12 billion USD. The financial sector now accounts for approximately 20% of all cyberattacks globally.
In Poland alone, the Ministry of Digital Affairs reports over 1,000 weekly cyber incidents nationwide, and more than 2,000 in strategic sectors, including finance.
Experts emphasize that not all cyberattacks involve dramatic system takeovers. Increasingly, silent campaigns using phishing, smishing, and vishing techniques exploit user trust. Meanwhile, ransomware attacks continue to escalate, freezing access to critical data in exchange for ransom payments.
The rising number of incidents underscores the urgent need for Polish financial institutions to invest not only in advanced cybersecurity tools but also in employee training and customer awareness. As hackers move faster and smarter, cybersecurity is becoming a cornerstone of economic stability.
“The financial sector is now facing the challenge of maintaining a balance between innovation and security. It’s no longer a question of if an attack will happen, but when,” concludes Wojciech Głażewski of Check Point.
Source: https://ceo.com.pl/banki-blik-i-firmy-pozyczkowe-na-celowniku-hakerow-59860
