Cyberattack Strikes Polish Press Agency, False Alarm of Mass Mobilization Withdrawn
Friday Night Threat: The Polish Press Agency (PAP) recently faced a cyberattack, resulting in the publication of a hoax report on July 1, 2024. This bogus report hinted at a partial mobilization in Poland, with 200,000 citizens being called up for military service and deployed to Ukraine.
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The phony dispatch, labeled "Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Donald Tusk: Partial mobilization will begin in Poland on July 1, 2024," popped up twice before being swiftly retracted each time.
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PAP confirmed that they were not the source of the deception and are presently investigating the circumstances surrounding the disinformation.
Justyna Wojteczek, PAP's Deputy Editor-in-Chief, confirmed that the attack's origin had been pinpointed and secured. "We have identified the source and the access route used in the attack, and we have secured it. The matter is currently being looked into not only by PAP but also in collaboration with the relevant security services," Wojteczek said on Polsat News. She appreciated other news outlets for their quick response, which prevented the propagation of the falsehood.
Polish authorities, including the Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the Ministry of Digitization, have mobilized promptly in response to this likely Russian cyberattack.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Digitization Krzysztof Gawkowski, declared, "Everything points to a cyberattack and planned disinformation." He reassured the public that immediate measures were taken to address the issue, involving the Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the Research and Academic Computer Network (NASK).
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Prime Minister Donald Tusk also addressed the issue, likening it to a broader Russian strategy to destabilize the region ahead of European elections. "This dangerous hacker attack underscores the Russian strategy of destabilization on the eve of European elections," Tusk wrote on social media platform X.
Jan Grabiec, head of the Prime Minister's Office, corroborated that the alleged PAP communication about mobilization was fabricated and the incident was being thoroughly investigated by security services. He reiterated that mobilization orders can only be issued by the President as per Article 136 of the Polish Constitution.
Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesperson for the Minister Coordinator of Special Services, assured the public that Polish citizens felt secure despite the cyberattack. He highlighted that the false information had not been disseminated broadly. He commended the continuous vigilance of Polish security services against such threats.
Jacek Siewiera, head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), also refuted the false report as intentional misinformation and confirmed ongoing communication with the government on the matter. He reiterated that mobilizations in Poland can only be ordered by the President, as outlined in Article 136 of the Constitution.
Cybersecurity has emerged as a critical concern worldwide, with state and non-state actors increasingly leveraging cyberattacks to disrupt and manipulate political processes. The prompt response by Polish authorities and the identification of the cyberattack source underscore the significance of vigilance and robust cybersecurity measures. As the European elections near, the need for coordinated endeavors to counter disinformation and cyber threats remains imperative. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing digital warfare and the necessity for comprehensive strategies to protect national security and information integrity.
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- The Polish Press Agency (PAP) is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding a recent cyberattack that resulted in the publication of a hoax report surrounding Poland's military mobilization.
- Polish authorities, including the Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the Ministry of Digitization, have mobilized promptly in response to this likely Russian cyberattack.
- Cybersecurity has emerged as a critical concern worldwide, with state and non-state actors increasingly leveraging cyberattacks to disrupt and manipulate political processes.
- Justyna Wojteczek, PAP's Deputy Editor-in-Chief, confirmed that the attack's origin had been pinpointed and secured, and that the investigation involves not only PAP but also relevant security services.
- The prompt response by Polish authorities and the identification of the cyberattack source underscore the significance of vigilance and robust cybersecurity measures.
- Prime Minister Donald Tusk likened the dangerous hacker attack to a broader Russian strategy to destabilize the region ahead of European elections.
- As the European elections near, the need for coordinated efforts to counter disinformation and cyber threats remains imperative, as this incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing digital warfare and the necessity for comprehensive strategies to protect national security and information integrity.
