Janusz Cieszyński, the government plenipotentiary for cybersecurity confirmed that in recent days, Poland has been hit by more cyber-attacks than ever before. He added that those attempts were supposed to attack the website of the Polish Clearing House or the government e-mail servers. About 27 thousand malicious messages reached operators of critical infrastructure and government in one day.

He emphasized that recently increased attempts to enter the state systems can be observed, but the situation is still under control.

Cieszyński emphasized that Poland is in constant contact with its partners from other countries and it receives similar information from them. “Cyber-attacks are also increased there. We exchange information quickly and efficiently,” added the government plenipotentiary.

Asked about entering CHARLIE-CRP, the third level of cyberspace threat in force in Poland since Monday, Cieszyński explained that from Monday everyone who is responsible for these key systems, both in the state administration and as operators of critical infrastructure is simply on high alert. This means that they should be ready to respond better and faster in the case of a cyber-attack.

Pursuant to the Act on anti-terrorist activities of June 10, 2016, the CRP alert levels or alert levels are introduced, amended and dismissed by the Prime Minister’s order, after consulting the Minister of Interior and Administration and the head of the Internal Security Agency.

The third CRP alert level, i.e. CHARLIE-CRP, can be introduced in the case of occurred or probable terrorist attack, threatening public security, the security of Poland or the security of another state and posing a potential threat to Poland. It can also be introduced when reliable and confirmed information about a planned terrorist action is obtained.

Adrian Andrzejewski