Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan has said a foreign state is suspected of hacking government databases and extracting citizens’ personal identification numbers. Tofan cancelled a planned trip to Brussels for the Euronews Enlargement Summit because of the ongoing attacks on government IT systems.
Speaking by video link, Tofan said hackers had breached government databases, with civic registrations under attack, and that about 750,000 data sets about two individuals had been extracted. He said authorities had received early warnings and suspected a foreign state was responsible. “We suspect the state actor to be behind it, and seeing what’s happening in Europe, this will remain on the agenda of the European countries,” he said. “At this point, you could only guess. But I don’t think the list of suspects is very long.”
The attacks come amid wider cyber incidents across Europe. This week, seven countries reported cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems, and emergency alert applications in Ukraine and Russia were compromised and used to send out false warnings. Moldova also experienced a surge in alleged Russian interference during its parliamentary election campaign last year.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The breach exposed citizens’ personal identification numbers, raising the risk of identity fraud and questions about the security of state databases.
- A suspected state actor adds to a pattern of cyber incidents across Europe, including attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems in seven countries and compromised emergency alert apps.
- The attacks forced the prime minister to cancel his Brussels trip, putting cyber security on the European agenda as Moldova pursues closer EU ties.
Background
Moldova, a former Soviet republic bordering Ukraine, has been moving closer to the European Union under its current government. During last year’s parliamentary election campaign, the country reported a surge in alleged Russian interference. The latest breach is suspected by the prime minister to be the work of a foreign state, though he has not named any suspects.
What to Watch
- Whether Tofan or Moldovan authorities publicly name a suspected state and present evidence linking the breach to a specific country.
- Further cyber incidents in Europe after this week’s attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems and the compromise of emergency alert apps.
- How the breach affects the pace of Moldova’s EU accession talks after the prime minister’s cancelled summit trip.
Checked
10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedTofan said, “We suspect the state actor to be behind it, and seeing what’s happening in Europe, this will remain on the agenda of the European countries,”Euronews: “"We suspect the state actor to be behind it, and seeing what’s happening in Europe, this will remain on the agenda of the European countries," Tofan said.”
- SupportedTofan said, “At this point, you could only guess. But I don’t think the list of suspects is very long.”Euronews: “"At this point, you could only guess. But I don’t think the list of suspects is very long."”
- SupportedMoldova suspects a foreign state behind the breach of government databases.Euronews: “Moldova Prime Minister Vasile told Euronews that a foreign state is suspected of hacking government databases”
- Partly supportedTofan said hackers extracted citizens’ personal identification numbers.Euronews: “Hackers breached government databases, gaining access to the personal identification numbers of Moldovan citizens.”
- SupportedAbout 750,000 data sets about two individuals were extracted from databases.Euronews: “"Civic registrations have been under attack, and about 750,000 data sets about two individuals have been extracted from databases," Tofan said.”
- SupportedTofan cancelled his planned trip to Brussels to join the Euronews Enlargement Summit by video link because of ongoing attacks on government IT systems.Euronews: “Tofan joined the Euronews Enlargement Summit by video link after cancelling his trip to Brussels because of the ongoing attacks on government IT systems.”
- SupportedTofan said authorities had received early warnings and suspected a foreign state was responsible.Euronews: “He added that authorities had received early warnings of the attacks and suspected a foreign state was responsible.”
- SupportedThis week, seven countries reported cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems.Euronews: “This week, seven countries reported cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems.”
- SupportedEmergency alert applications in Ukraine and Russia were compromised and used to send false warnings.Euronews: “The emergency alert applications in Ukraine and Russia have also been compromised and used to send out false warnings.”
- SupportedMoldova experienced a surge in alleged Russian interference during its parliamentary election campaign last year.Euronews: “Moldova also experienced a surge in alleged Russian interference during its parliamentary election campaign last year.”