Cert.lv: Cyberattackers especially interested in population registries ahead of elections
Cert.lv deputy head Varis Teivāns says the number of cyberattack attempts against Latvia is very high in the week before parliamentary elections, though most are repelled. Attackers show particular interest in various population registries.
Varis Teivāns, deputy head of Latvia's cyber incident response institution Cert.lv, said in an interview with TV3's "900 sekundes" program that cyberattackers are especially interested in various population registries. He noted that in the week before the Saeima elections, the situation in Latvia's cyberspace is tense, with a very high number of attempted attacks against the country, although the threat level has remained elevated for several years already.
Certain institutions face heightened attention
According to Teivāns, some sectors experience a particularly strong focus from attackers — namely institutions that maintain population registries in various forms. This applies to municipalities, state institutions, and organizations connected to the healthcare sector.
He suggested that attackers' targets could include not only registries of Latvian residents but also registries of Ukrainian nationals living in Latvia.
Most attacks are repelled
The Cert.lv representative emphasized that the vast majority of cyberattacks are identified and successfully repelled. As the elections approach, he said provocations in cyberspace and elsewhere cannot be ruled out.
Nevertheless, Teivāns expressed confidence that the systems used to run the elections are ready for operation and that the vote will proceed stably.
