Czech Republic strengthens defenses against fraud and infrastructure attacks

Czech authorities and security experts are addressing rising threats to national stability, focusing on both financial fraud and the protection of critical infrastructure.

In the financial sector, a working group led by the Czech National Bank reported a 79 percent year-on-year increase in damages caused by bank client fraud between January and July. The average loss per incident has risen by 47 percent to 30,335 CZK. Officials noted that over half of these frauds go unreported. To combat this, experts are considering implementing a recipient confirmation system similar to one used in Portugal, which displays the account holder's name during domestic transfers to prevent manipulation.

Simultaneously, the Czech military and police are conducting exercises, such as Safeguard 2026, to prepare for potential attacks on critical infrastructure. These drills involve soldiers and reservists practicing the securing of strategic locations, including water and sewage facilities in Prague. Security analysts emphasize that attacks on infrastructure are already being recorded within NATO and EU member states, necessitating increased readiness for the protection of sites like Václav Havel Airport and the Dukovany nuclear power plant.