Poland confronts record cyber‑attacks as hackers expand intimidation tactics

Poland is experiencing a sharp rise in cyber‑attacks, with Check Point Research reporting almost 3,000 attempts per week on government and public institutions – about 2,916 weekly incidents, the highest among European nations. The surge follows a 140 % increase in 2025 compared with 2024, prompting the Polish government to allocate over 5 billion złoty for cybersecurity in 2026. Analysts link many of the attacks to Russian‑linked groups such as Sandworm, APT‑28 and APT‑29.

At the same time, the U.S. FBI has warned of a new trend in which cyber‑criminals not only deploy ransomware but also threaten victims, their families and colleagues with physical harm. Using personal data obtained from breached systems, perpetrators apply “violence‑as‑a‑service” tactics to pressure ransom payments. The FBI notes that more than one million cyber‑incidents were reported in the past year worldwide, causing tens of billions of dollars in losses.

Both developments illustrate a shift from purely virtual exploitation to hybrid attacks that blend digital intrusion with real‑world intimidation, raising concerns for governments and businesses across Europe and the United States.