Threat analysis NCTV: malicious parties seize corona, digital attacks increasingly violent | Inland

The impact of the digital threat is increasing, the analysis shows. The NCTV points out the extra risk that the corona crisis entails. Malicious persons seize current themes that receive a lot of attention worldwide to carry out digital attacks, warns the watchdog. “For example, many phishing emails from cyber criminals last year had Covid-19 as their theme.” These are messages that aim to collect data.

The corona crisis has also raised ‘an intelligence need’ in other countries, according to the NCTV. “In relation to Covid-19, there was a need for knowledge regarding vaccines, which has resulted in digital espionage and even the spread of disinformation.”

Information about the fight against the virus was to be obtained through espionage. “This concerns, for example, research data on treatment, test results and vaccines, information on the estimated spread of infection and possible policy strategies,” concludes the NCTV.

Patient care facilities

Criminals are exploiting the pandemic for digital attacks. “They are increasing the pressure to pay ransom through attacks on processes of organizations critical in the fight against Covid-19, including patient care facilities, medical suppliers and labs.”

Misinformation about vaccines is mentioned as part of misinformation. But there are more digital dangers. “For example, opponents of the Covid-19 measures can express their dissatisfaction by disrupting digital processes, for example by carrying out online attacks against government agencies or parties with other ideas. They can also try to hack into organizations in order to obtain information that could put an organization in a bad light.”

Not only large companies and the government are at risk. The NCTV also warns that working from home poses an additional danger. This increases the dependence on digital facilities, which in turn can be exploited by malicious parties.

Resilience not enough

According to outgoing minister Grapperhaus (Justice and Security), ‘the digitization of our society and economy has taken off so that we can continue to work, learn and do business remotely’. “This has further increased our reliance on digital processes. These developments also offer opportunities for malicious parties.”

The NCTV sees that efforts have been made in the Netherlands to defend against cyber attacks, but according to the watchdog, there really needs to be a little extra. “Despite these positive developments, the cyber incidents that have affected the Netherlands show that resilience is not yet sufficient.” The conclusion is that there are still too great differences between companies.

Grapperhaus also sees that resilience lags behind the threat. “Given these developments, the permanent digital threat and the increasing dependence on digital resources, a strong commitment to continue to strengthen Dutch digital security under a new cabinet will be necessary.”

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