Former head of the Foreign Intelligence Agency, and now an expert of the Pulaski Foundation, Colonel Grzegorz Małecki, warns of the threats to critical infrastructure from cyberspace. In response to the expulsion of diplomats, Russia may attack the network.
– American experts have warned of a massive cyber attack on their critical infrastructure for at least several years a so-called cybernetic tsunami. Focusing attention and efforts to prepare for such an attack meant that they ignored the threats that came to the American society from social media and, more broadly, information that attacked the awareness of American citizens, influencing, among others, their attitudes and behavior during the election – says the interlocutor of BiznesAlert.pl.
– So far, infrastructure attacks were expected from China or Iran. I think that today a much more serious source of attacks that Americans fear is Russia. Its attack on US critical infrastructure, as well as their European allies, including Poland, is much more likely than ever. One should bear in mind that the reaction of Russia to the coordinated action of expelling Russian diplomats will be met with the response of, among others, in the cyberspace. Russia is preparing a firm and decisive relationship, because Western action was unprecedented and certainly was a surprise for Moscow. It was undoubtedly a blow to Russia’s image and prestige, and these are very important values for the Russians. Their response must be adequate so as to minimize losses in the eyes of their own society and allies of eight international partners – experts say.
– Effective protection of critical infrastructure requires consistent, methodical and coordinated activities in the long term. In order to achieve this, it is not only financial expenditures that are necessary, but above all, the creation of awareness among the management staff of companies, politicians and opinion-makers. It is necessary to ensure strong leadership from the strategic level of the state and to appoint a body of the state responsible for a comprehensive operation of all state structures in close cooperation with private entities. Only this approach guarantees the development and effective implementation of cyber security strategy that uses the potential to prevent, deter and combat any attacks, but also responds to them efficiently and eliminates the effects of successful attacks. Efficient activity at all these levels exceeds the capabilities of any single actor, even state-owned – says Colonel Małecki.
– To sum up, increasing the tension in relations with Russia, which is an obvious result of recent events, should become another stimulus for urgent efforts to build an efficient cyber security system based on a single institutional model, directly subordinated to the prime minister – said our interlocutor.