Europe facing a doubling in disruptive cyber attacks, with suspected Russian involvement

Disruptive digital attacks in the European Union have doubled recently, with many connected to Russian-backed groups. These attacks are also targeting election-related services. The head of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, Juhan Lepassaar, mentioned that these attacks have increased due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The EU citizens will vote for lawmakers in the European Parliament from June 6-9, which will impact the EU’s executive branch, the European Commission. The agency's 2023 report highlighted a rise in ransomware attacks and incidents targeting public institutions. Lepassaar explained that the methods used in these attacks were often tested in Ukraine before being expanded to EU countries. This is seen as part of Russia's aggressive actions, both physically in Ukraine and digitally across Europe. Experts are concerned about the use of artificial intelligence tools to spread misleading information to Western voters. These tools include deepfakes, which are hyperrealistic video and audio clips. Lepassaar emphasized the threat posed by AI-enabled disinformation and information manipulation. To address these digital threats, U.S. and European experts are collaborating with security agencies. ENISA has identified areas like food production, satellite management, and self-driving vehicles as needing attention. Lepassaar believes that cybersecurity should become a natural consideration for designers and consumers, similar to how we prioritize safety in everyday activities like driving.