Danish water sector on high alert after cyberattack threat
The Danish Center for Cybersecurity has issued a warning about the very high risk of hacker attacks on the water sector. This threat has escalated following a December incident involving pro-Russian hackers.
The Danish Center for Cybersecurity made the announcement on Wednesday, highlighting the potential risk to water infrastructure, which it has now assessed as "very high."
According to The Local, this decision follows a December breach by a pro-Russian group of hackers into the IT system of a water and sewage company in a Danish municipality. This breach resulted in a pipe bursting and subsequent water supply interruptions for residents.
Increase in cyberattack threats
"The water sector is a fundamental part of what forms the critical infrastructure in Denmark," stated Mark Fiedel, head of the Center for Cybersecurity, underlining the importance of safeguarding this sector.
The government agency reports that the threat of hacker attacks is particularly high from criminal groups that may attempt to extort ransoms. The statement emphasized that many of these groups receive support from foreign states, including Russia.
In terms of cyber espionage threats, the risk level has been assessed as "medium."
The Danish government plans to enhance financial support for the Crisis Management Agency for 2025-2026. A new national cybersecurity and information strategy is set to be developed this year. These initiatives aim to bolster protection against cyber threats, which can have severe consequences for critical infrastructure.
