A massive cyberattack targeting Slovakia’s state General Health Insurance Company (VSZP) has been attributed to foreign forces by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The incident, described as a “textbook example” of operations aimed at penalizing dissenting governments in the West, is raising concerns about cybersecurity and geopolitical tensions.

The cyberattack, which began on the afternoon of January 19, aimed to paralyze the nation’s healthcare system, Fico stated during a joint press conference with Health Minister Kamil Sasko on January 24. The attack involved a significant number of attempts to access sensitive patient information held by VSZP, potentially compromising the administration of drugs to patients with serious conditions such as cancer and heart disease.

While the assault was thwarted, Sasko revealed that the VSZP and the National Health Information Centre (NCZI) had to operate in “crisis mode” under close government monitoring. The implications of such an attack could have been catastrophic for Slovakia’s healthcare infrastructure, highlighting vulnerabilities in critical systems that, if exploited, could disrupt essential public services.

Fico’s claims regarding the cyberattack extend beyond Slovakia’s borders. He suggested that the operation was orchestrated by foreign actors with a history of involvement in Ukraine during the 2014 Maidan coup. The group allegedly responsible has also been linked to attacks in Georgia, Fico asserted.

The prime minister’s statements are underpinned by reports from Slovak intelligence services, which have been investigating the cyber incidents. Last week, Slovakia’s Geodesy, Cartography and Cadaster Office also experienced a significant cyberattack, which some officials have suggested was coordinated from Ukraine, according to local media outlet Pravda. The striking similarity between the two incidents........

© Blitz