Cyber attacks on Ukraine spiked by 70% in 2024

Photo: gazetadita.al

The number of cyberattacks on Ukraine spiked by 69.8% in 2024, reaching 4,315 incidents, compared to 2023, when 2,541 cyber incidents were recorded, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection reports on their website.

Hackers most often targeted:

• local authorities,
• the government and government organizations,
• the security and defense sector,
• the energy sector,
• commercial organizations,
• telecommunications.

The most common types of attacks included:

• distributing malicious software,
• phishing,
• malicious connection,
• compromising accounts or systems.

The hackers' goal is to steal sensitive information and to destroy data and information systems, notes the State Special Communications Service.

There is a steady trend towards an increase in cyberattacks today, primarily targeting Ukraine's critical infrastructure, notes the government's computer emergency response team CERT-UA.

"The enemy does not abandon their attempts to destabilize our country with the help of cyber warfare. This indicates that confrontation in the cyber realm remains one of the hottest spots in the war," they noted, suggesting that Russia would continue to employ all possible methods to obtain important intelligence.

Experts also predict that destructive attacks against critical infrastructure facilities, including the energy sector, will not cease.

"During a war, the most valuable intelligence for the enemy is the plans of Ukraine's defense forces, data from defense industry enterprises, the government, and other organizations supporting the military. To achieve these goals, attackers usually mass mail malicious software and phishing emails. These types of cyberattacks will remain the most widespread," the State Special Communications Service noted.