The report identified ransomware as the most impactful threat, evolving toward data exfiltration and double extortion tactics, with small and medium-sized enterprises increasingly becoming targets. Public administration faced the most attacks, accounting for 19% of recorded incidents, followed by transport and finance sectors. July 2023 alone saw 800 cyber incidents, the highest monthly figure recorded in the report.
Russia and China-nexus groups are highlighted as major sources of cyber espionage, particularly against EU institutions, with a focus on advancing intelligence regarding Ukraine and other key geopolitical targets. Active disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing public opinion were observed alongside these cyber threats, although major disruptions were avoided during the European Parliamentary elections.
Hacker-for-hire services and professionalized cybercrime markets also emerged as pressing concerns, underlining the complex and evolving nature of the threat landscape.
ENISA emphasized the urgency of bolstering EU-wide cybersecurity policies, including crisis management, supply chain security, and workforce skills. It also stressed the need for harmonized regulations and coordinated responses to enhance resilience across member states. ENISA’s findings serve as a critical reminder of the pressing need to fortify Europe’s cybersecurity defenses amidst rising threats in an increasingly interconnected digital world.
Source: Infosecurity Magazine
The European Cyber Intelligence Foundation is a nonprofit think tank specializing in intelligence and cybersecurity, offering consultancy services to government entities. To mitigate potential threats, it is important to implement additional cybersecurity measures with the help of a trusted partner like INFRA www.infrascan.net, or you can try yourself using check.website.