The threat from the Russian cyber space is rapidly increasing: analysts recorded nearly a 50% rise in attacks in the second half of 2024
In the second half of 2024, Ukraine's cybersecurity faced significant challenges – the number of cyberattacks conducted by Russian hackers increased by almost fifty percent compared to the first half of the year. According to the analytical report by CERT-UA specialists, a division of the State Cybersecurity Center under the State Special Communications Service, this period was marked not only by a sharp increase in incidents but also by a deepening in their complexity and targeted nature. Official information indicates that in the second half of 2024, the number of recorded attacks grew by 48% compared to the previous half-year. The trend shows not only a quantitative increase in breaches but also major shifts in hacker group tactics: increased automation of attacks, use of advanced techniques for infiltration via software supply chains, and combining espionage and sabotage methods. Experts note that Russian cybermalicious actors are increasingly employing complex multivector campaigns targeting various objectives, including critical infrastructure, defense enterprises, and situational awareness systems. The primary focus of their activities remains intelligence gathering – attempting to access key systems for monitoring and analyzing the situation at the front and in the rear. This indicates a new phase in Russian cyber strategy characterized by scale and high levels of coordination – targeting precisely the objectives that pose significant security threats to the country. An important aspect is that Ukrainian specialists respond quite effectively. Enhanced early detection systems, increased cyber hygiene among government agencies and the armed forces, as well as active international cooperation, enable the neutralization of most threats during their preparation stage. These efforts help minimize the consequences of potential cyberattacks and maintain the resilience of the state in high-tech warfare. Notably, this trend is not new to the Ukrainian cybersecurity community. On April 7, this year, the State Special Communications Service warned of increased targeted cyber activity by Russian intelligence agencies aimed at spying on Ukrainian institutions involved in scientific and technological development of military technologies. This underscores the importance of strengthening security measures and continuously updating countermeasures against meticulously planned and highly organized cyberattacks that have strategic significance for Ukraine’s national security. Experts also emphasize that, under current conditions, it is necessary not only to react to already carried-out attacks but also to boost preventive measures – ranging from training government officials to modernizing information security systems. In this ongoing digital war, victory depends not only on the intensity and speed of attacks but also on the ability of the state to preemptively counter them. Considering the growth in scale and complexity of Russian cyberattacks, increased vigilance and mobilization of defense mechanisms are key to preserving the stability and sovereignty of Ukraine’s informational systems.