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Cyber-attack on Polish railways prompts investigation

28.08.2023 12:00
Poland's state railway network experienced significant disruptions following a cyber-attack, state news agency PAP has reported.
Photo:
Photo: PAP/Przemysław Piątkowski

An urgent investigation has been launched by the Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the national police in light of the events.

The perpetrators reportedly utilized the railway's frequencies to send a signal that compelled an emergency halt to train services in the northwestern regions of Poland. The aftermath witnessed considerable delays, as highlighted by the state news agency.

In an interview on Monday, Deputy Coordinator of Special Services Stanisław Żaryn said that at this point, there was no concrete evidence linking the incident to Russian intelligence agencies.

"The primary objective of our ongoing investigation is not only to pinpoint the perpetrators responsible but also to decipher the motives driving these actions," Żaryn asserted, adding that the affected system had experienced similar breaches in the past.

"It's essential to approach this situation calmly, as this incident is not without precedent," he emphasized.

"It is not a foregone conclusion that we are talking about some kind of Machiavellian operation that a foreign state is behind," Żaryn added.

In a separate but equally concerning incident, the railway authority is delving into the reasons behind the derailment of two trains, and a subsequent collision involving another two trains last week. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in the aftermath of these incidents.

Żaryn further clarified that as of now, there seems to be no evidence linking Thursday's events with the cyber-attack.

(jh)

Source: PAP