Athens (dpa) – The threat level to Europe’s digital infrastructure has escalated, as highlighted in the latest report from the EU Agency for Cybersecurity, ENISA. The report identifies ransomware as the most severe threat facing the EU.
Severe Consequences of Ransomware
Ransomware is a form of malware that effectively holds a victim’s computer or data hostage. Following an infection, critical files or even the entire system are typically encrypted or locked, rendering access impossible. The attackers demand a ransom, often in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, promising to restore access upon payment.
The financial repercussions from these attacks can be significant, particularly since victims often cannot recover their systems from backups.
Prevalence of DDoS Attacks
In terms of frequency, DDoS attacks dominate the ENISA report, comprising 77 percent of reported incidents. During these attacks, perpetrators inundate the victim’s computers with excessive data requests, causing servers to crash. Although the damages from denial-of-service attacks are generally lower than those from ransomware, as servers typically resume function post-attack, the impact remains considerable. Most DDoS attacks are carried out by “hacktivists,” with cybercriminals playing a lesser role.
This analysis is derived from 4,875 incidents reported between July 2024 and June 2025. ENISA Director Juhan Lepassaar remarked: “The growing reliance on digital systems means that disruptions can impact entire supply chains.”
Cyberattacks Targeting Public Administration
The report reveals that public administration in the EU is a frequent target, accounting for 38.2 percent of incidents. In particular, diplomatic and governmental institutions are prime targets for hacktivists and state-sponsored groups involved in cyber espionage.
The transportation sector follows with 7.5 percent of registered incidents, succeeded by digital infrastructure and services (4.8 percent), the financial sector (4.5 percent), and industry (2.9 percent).
AI’s Role in Attack Strategies
Of particular concern is the rising use of artificial intelligence, which has been noted by ENISA. The report indicates that over 80 percent of globally observed social engineering activities are now supported by AI. In such instances, for example, fake emails from superiors are generated using AI, tricking employees into transferring large sums to attackers. (October 1)
Leave a Reply