Cybercriminals are not idle, and the number of attacks in Europe is increasing rapidly, warns the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) in its latest report. In the face of escalating geopolitical conflicts, especially hybrid warfare, the threat to EU member states is becoming increasingly real.
Who and what should be on the lookout?
The sectors most vulnerable to attacks are public administration, transport, and finance, which have become the primary targets of cybercriminals. In addition to well-known threats such as viruses, ransomware, and server attacks, a new threat has emerged – information manipulation. This weapon is becoming increasingly dangerous, affecting the public sector, finance, and transportation.
The “ENISA Threat Landscape 2024” report shows that in the second half of 2023 and the first half of 2024, not only did the number of attacks increase, but they also brought new, previously unknown threats. The effects could affect us all – from public institutions to ordinary internet users. The first half of 2024 saw a sharp rise in incidents, and seven main threats are currently putting European companies under pressure: ransomware, malware, DDoS attacks, social engineering-based scams, data theft, information manipulation, and supply chain attacks.
The EU in the Crosshairs
The European Union is a favourite target of cybercriminal attacks. The number of such attacks is growing faster in this region than anywhere else. The war in Ukraine and the June elections to the European Parliament fueled the actions of hackers, destabilizing not only institutions but also the economies of entire countries. The most frequently used methods are ransomware and DDoS attacks, which accounted for 67% of all incidents. While hackers once preferred to attack businesses, now public administration is increasingly becoming a victim of DDoS attacks, data breaches, and ransomware. The same is true in the transport sector, where security breaches often have very spectacular and painful effects.
Regulatory Assistance
Although the largest enterprises and public institutions invest in cyber security tools and procedures, these are not always sufficiently transparent and focused on the broad protection of citizens. In many organizations, less engagement in digital security results from a lack of knowledge, threat awareness, or limited financial resources. This leads to an uneven level of security, creating gaps in the system and exposing broader digital ecosystems.
The Need for Greater Awareness
The conflict on the eastern borders of the European Union and the growing intensity of hybrid warfare are significantly influencing the changing face of threats in cyberspace. The increased number of cyberattacks and the development of new attack techniques clearly show that strengthening cybersecurity efforts throughout Europe is necessary. On the one hand, legislative initiatives such as the NIS2 Directive are a key step in building resilience, but on the other hand, greater threat awareness and international cooperation are needed to effectively counter increasingly advanced attacks in the coming years.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/wojna-zmienia-sytuacje-cyberbezpieczenstwa-w-europie-raport-enisa-53779
