Poland to pour billions into ‘cyber shield,’ but gaps persist: daily

Poland will allocate almost PLN 4 billion (EUR 939 million) this year to a national “cyber shield,” but spending alone will not close regulatory and education gaps, the Rzeczpospolita daily reported Thursday.

Citing data from state research institute NASK, the newspaper said cyber incidents in Poland have risen sharply. The institute’s cyber-security team CERT Polska recorded 3,700 cases in 2018 and more than 103,000 in 2024 — nearly triple the 2022 level. Within public entities alone, incidents climbed 58% last year, underscoring how the public sector

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The paper said investments in cyber defense have surged following attacks by Russian hackers on Polish hospitals and water networks. Of the total, PLN 3.1 billion is earmarked to support public administration, local governments and key sectors of the economy; counting military cyber protection, outlays approach PLN 4 billion.

Rzeczpospolita added that the spending is being driven by intensified activity from criminal groups and pro-Russia hacktivists, who are increasingly targeting Poland’s critical infrastructure.

Experts cited by the daily warned that record budgets will not guarantee success without stronger rules and better public awareness. How the money is deployed is crucial, they said, pointing to local governments as a weak link.

The emerging digital shield faces “several significant holes” in regulation and education, the paper wrote.

Citing data from state research institute NASK, the newspaper said cyber incidents in Poland have risen sharply. The institute’s cyber-security team CERT Polska recorded 3,700 cases in 2018 and more than 103,000 in 2024 — nearly triple the 2022 level.

Within public entities alone, incidents climbed 58% last year, underscoring how the public sector is becoming a more frequent target.

(jh)

Source: PAP, Rzeczpospolita