Cybersecurity

EU sanctions three Russians over 2020 cyberattacks on Estonia

The European Union has imposed sanctions on three Russian nationals for their alleged role in cyberattacks targeting Estonia in 2020. Nikolay Korchagin, 28, Vitaly Shevchenko, 28, and Yuriy Denisov, 45—suspected operatives of the cyber division of Russia’s GRU military intelligence service—are accused of breaching classified Estonian government networks and stealing sensitive data.

According to the Council of the EU, the attacks compromised thousands of confidential documents, including business secrets, health records, and other critical information. In September 2024, Estonia publicly attributed the attack to Unit 29155, marking the first time the country formally identified a state-backed cyber operation.

‘Both a national and an international investigation that included 10 countries showed that Russia aimed to damage national computer systems, obtain sensitive information and strike a blow against our sense of security,’ Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated at the time.

As part of the sanctions, Korchagin, Shevchenko, and Denisov face an asset freeze, a prohibition on EU individuals and businesses providing them with funds, and a travel ban barring them from entering or transiting through the EU territory.

The move follows a similar decision by the US government in September last year. The US Department of Justice indicted members of Unit 29155 and placed a $10 million bounty for information aiding prosecution. The indictment primarily focused on the WhisperGate cyberattack—a data-wiping operation targeting Ukraine ahead of Russia’s 2022 invasion. Korchagin and Denisov were specifically named in the US sanctions, while Shevchenko was labelled an ‘associated individual’ by the State Department.

Last year, the EU’s credibility in cyber sanctions was undermined when a clerical error in a formal sanctions notice mistakenly identified the wrong Russian intelligence agency responsible for a series of cyberattacks. Additionally, Bart Groothuis, a Dutch MEP and former Ministry of Defence employee, noted that the EU’s response remains fragmented, particularly in comparison to coordinated actions taken by the US and UK.

Italy suspends DeepSeek AI app amid data protection concerns

The Chinese AI app DeepSeek was removed from Apple and Google app stores in Italy on Wednesday, following a request by the country’s data protection authority for information on its handling of personal data. Italy’s Garante regulator gave DeepSeek 20 days to clarify what data it collects, its sources, purposes, and whether it is stored in China. Concerns over safeguarding underage users, potential bias, and risks of electoral interference were also highlighted by Garante chief Pasquale Stanzione.

The app, which recently surpassed ChatGPT in downloads from Apple’s App Store, remains functional for Italian users who had already installed it. It is also still available in other European Union countries and the UK. Ireland‘s Data Protection Commission has also sought details about DeepSeek’s data processing practices for Irish users, while Germany‘s government has voiced concerns about potential AI-driven election interference ahead of its February vote.

Italy’s Garante is known for its proactive stance on AI regulations, having temporarily banned ChatGPT in 2023 over alleged breaches of EU privacy laws. DeepSeek, which touts itself as a cost-efficient alternative to U.S. AI services, has faced mounting scrutiny as it gains popularity. Meanwhile, Irish regulators noted that DeepSeek has not designated Ireland as its EU headquarters, complicating oversight under EU data protection rules.

Europol highlights encryption concerns at the World Economic Forum

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Europol’s executive director, Catherine De Bolle, urged tech companies to provide law enforcement access to encrypted messages, citing public safety concerns. While she argued this is necessary to combat crime and protect democracy, critics highlighted the risks of undermining encryption, which is essential for privacy and individual freedoms.

De Bolle compared accessing encrypted communications to executing a search warrant in a locked house. However, this analogy oversimplifies the issue, as encryption safeguards sensitive data and ensures private communication, even under authoritarian regimes. Weakening it could lead to widespread misuse, enabling mass surveillance and suppression, as seen in places like Russia.

Advocates for privacy stress that encryption is not merely a barrier to crime but a cornerstone of democracy, enabling free speech and safeguarding against state overreach. While law enforcement has other tools for crime-fighting, creating backdoors to encryption would expose everyone to cyber risks and potentially render digital security obsolete.

If governments succeed in weakening encryption, decentralised solutions backed by blockchain technology could rise, making such access nearly impossible in the future. The debate underscores the critical balance between security and preserving fundamental rights.

Polish game developer hit by cyberattack demanding ransom

Big Cheese Studio, a game development studio based in Poland, confirmed it suffered a cyberattack early Friday, according to the Polish Press Agency (PAP). The attack occurred around 4:00 GMT, and the company’s website remained offline several hours later. Management stated that security measures were in place, with an official statement expected later in the day.

Reports indicate hackers accessed the studio’s game code systems and employee personal data. The attackers are allegedly demanding 100,000 zlotys (£19,000) in cryptocurrency to prevent the release of stolen information. Users on social media platform X brought attention to the ransom threat, sparking concerns over data privacy and security.

Big Cheese Studio, listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, is working to address the breach. The incident underscores growing risks faced by companies in the gaming industry from cyber threats.

Undersea cable damaged between Latvia and Sweden

A fibre optic cable running under the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Sweden sustained significant damage, likely due to external factors, according to Latvian authorities. The incident prompted NATO to deploy patrol ships and launch a coordinated investigation with Sweden, where the Security Service seized control of a vessel as part of its probe. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina confirmed that her government is collaborating with NATO and neighboring Baltic Sea countries to determine the cause.

Senior prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist stated that investigators are conducting several actions but refrained from disclosing details due to the ongoing preliminary inquiry.

NATO’s recently launched ‘Baltic Sentry’ mission, involving naval and aerial assets, aims to safeguard critical infrastructure in the region following a series of incidents affecting cables, pipelines, and telecom links since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The project also includes the deployment of new technologies, including a small fleet of naval drones. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also emphasized close cooperation with NATO and Latvia in response to the situation.

The damaged cable, located in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone, connects Latvia’s Ventspils to Sweden’s Gotland island. The Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC), which operates the cable, reported switching communications to alternative routes and is contracting a repair vessel. Repairs are expected to proceed more quickly than those for gas pipelines or power cables, as fibre optic cables in the Baltic Sea are typically restored within weeks.

This incident follows last month’s damage to the Finnish-Estonian Estlink 2 power line and telecom cables, reportedly caused by a Russian tanker dragging its anchor. Finnish and Swedish leaders underscored the importance of bolstering the protection of critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. NATO also stated it reserves the right to act against ships deemed security risks while continuing to monitor the situation closely.

Denmark warns of cyber threats to its water infrastructure

Denmark’s national Centre for Cybersecurity (Center for Cybersikkerhed, CCS) has identified a ‘very high’ risk of cyberattacks targeting the country’s water infrastructure following its first official assessment of threats to the sector.

According to CCS acting head Mark Fiedel, the water sector plays a vital role within Denmark’s critical infrastructure, highlighting the potential impacts of disruptions to drinking water supplies.

As an example of the risks faced by the sector, Fiedel noted an incident in December 2024 when hackers accessed a small water plant in Denmark, resulting in a temporary disruption of water services for approximately 50 households.

CCS classifies cyber threats into various categories, including cybercrime, which poses the significant risk to critical infrastructure. Ransomware attacks are among the identified threats, and in 2021, a water plant in Kalundborg reported a ransomware attack that briefly locked technicians out of IT systems.

Japan introduces active cyber defence bill to strengthen national security

Among the 59 bills to be introduced to the Japanese government’s review this year within next 150 days, the Active Cyber Defense Legislation stands out due to its importance for Japan’s national security.

This bill, presented to the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on January 16 and swiftly approved, is part of an effort to bolster Japan’s cybersecurity capabilities. We also earlier reported that Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party proposed an ‘active cyber defence’ system, allowing the government to collect telecom metadata to detect and prevent cyberattacks as part of broader national security reforms to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity capabilities.

The proposed legislation includes three main components: improving collaboration between the public and private sectors, allowing the government to access telecommunications data in cases of suspected cyberattacks, and enabling the neutralisation of attackers’ servers. Critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, transportation, and telecommunications would be required to report cyber incidents, with the government offering guidance on damage control and prevention.

The bill also grants the government the ability to monitor specific communications between Japan and foreign nations, but limits this to non-content data to address privacy concerns. In the event of a major cyberattack, the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) may be deployed to defend critical systems.

Although the bill has received widespread support, it faces legal challenges, particularly with regard to Japan’s constitutional protection of communication secrecy and its pacifist defense policies. Despite these concerns, public opinion remains favorable, with a recent poll showing 65% support for the legislation.

The government is moving forward with the proposal, aiming to enhance the protection of Japan’s critical infrastructure from increasing cyber risks. While the Japanese Communist Party opposes the bill, it has gained backing from major opposition parties, highlighting its broad political support.

New hacking group mimics Russia-linked group to target Russian entities, Chinese cybersecurity experts say

A hacking group, named as GamaCopy, has been imitating the tactics of the Russia-linked threat actor Gamaredon to target Russian-speaking victims, according to research by Chinese cybersecurity firm Knownsec.

GamaCopy’s latest campaign employed phishing documents disguised as reports on Russian armed forces’ locations in Ukraine, along with the open-source software UltraVNC for remote access.

However, while GamaCopy mirrors many techniques used by Gamaredon, researchers identified notable differences. For example, GamaCopy primarily uses Russian-language victims, whereas Gamaredon typically targets Ukrainian speakers. Additionally, GamaCopy’s use of UltraVNC represents a unique element in its attack chain.

Since June 2023, GamaCopy has targeted Russia’s defense and critical infrastructure sectors. However, the group is believed to have been active even earlier, i.e. since August 2021. Knownsec’s analysis suggests that GamaCopy’s operations are part of a deliberate false-flag campaign and links the group to another state-sponsored actor known as Core Werewolf, which has similarly targeted Russian defense systems since 2021.

This discovery follows recent reports of other hacker groups, conducting cyber-espionage campaigns against Russian entities, highlighting the increasing complexity and state-backed nature of these threats.

Trump administration ends Cyber Safety Review Board and pauses investigation into Salt Typhoon

The Trump administration has terminated all members of the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), along with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency’s Cybersecurity Advisory Committee and other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advisory panels. This move has halted the investigation into hacking group Salt Typhoon’s cyberattack on US telecommunications firms, raising significant concerns among cybersecurity advocates, according to CyberScoop.

While Acting DHS Secretary Benjamin Huffman suggested that outgoing members could reapply for their positions, the decision has faced criticism from lawmakers and experts. Representative Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), of the House Homeland Security Committee, warned that this decision could delay the Salt Typhoon probe, which he emphasised must be ‘completed expeditiously.’

Cybersecurity expert Kevin Beaumont argued that dismantling the CSRB could shield Microsoft from accountability over security lapses tied to a separate Chinese hacking incident. Meanwhile, Jake Williams of IANS Research highlighted the broader implications of this decision, stating that removing such panels could undermine US national security.

However, House Homeland Security Chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.) defended the move, stating it offers the Trump administration an opportunity to appoint new members or reevaluate the mission of the CSRB for more effective oversight.

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