Poland has emerged as the most frequently targeted country in the European Union when it comes to cyberattacks, as digital threats intensify ahead of crucial political milestones and continuing support for Ukraine fighting against the Russian aggression. In response to the growing cyber threat landscape, civilian IT experts are set to bolster the military’s defensive capabilities.

Some of the country’s top specialists in the IT sector are now completing advanced cyber defence training. By the end of the week, authorities are expected to announce who has qualified to join a newly established structure known as the Cyber Legion. Initially, around twenty experts will form this elite unit. They will serve as active reserve soldiers, ready to be deployed in the event of a crisis.

Speaking at the opening of the two-day Defence24Day security conference in Warsaw, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski revealed that Russian intelligence services have ramped up operations during the final stages of Poland’s presidential election campaign. 

“All electoral committees, without exception, are being targeted in cyberspace,” Minister Gawkowski reported.

The minister added that the hybrid assaults extend beyond political targets, also hitting critical state infrastructure and Poland’s broader information sphere. According to the minister, the number of cyberattacks originating from the Russian Federation has doubled over the past year.

Gawkowski underscored that Poland now holds the unfortunate distinction of being the most attacked EU member state in cyberspace. Russian interference goes beyond direct attacks: it includes information warfare, manipulation of online content, and infiltration efforts aimed at selected groups within Polish society.

General Wiesław Kukuła, commenting on the latest statistics in cyberattacks, stressed that operations in the cyber domain are just as vital as traditional military theatres — land, sea and air. He underscored that cyberspace must now be recognised as a fully-fledged operational arena for modern armed forces.

Source: Polskie Radio, IAR

Photo: @nexta_tv

Tomasz Modrzejewski