HOPS launches 1.6 million euro cybersecurity recovery procurement

The Croatian transmission system operator, HOPS, has launched a procurement process for a cyberattack recovery system valued at approximately 1.6 million euros excluding VAT. The initiative aims to protect HOPS systems against ransomware attacks that attempt to destroy or lock data for ransom.

The new system is designed to detect attacks in real-time and facilitate the rapid, secure recovery of data from protected backups, even if primary systems are compromised. Technical specifications include storing backups in a manner that prevents subsequent modification, with some data being stored long-term on magnetic tapes. The procurement also covers network equipment replacement and upgrades to accelerate data recovery.

Equipment will be deployed across five locations: regional network centers in Osijek, Zagreb, Rijeka, and Split, as well as the National Dispatch Center in Zagreb. To comply with the European NIS2 directive, which requires critical infrastructure operators to perform regular readiness testing, the selected provider must establish an isolated environment to verify system recovery capabilities following an attack. Bids are being accepted until September 22, 2026.