Poland ranks second after Ukraine as target of frequent cyber attacks

Poland is currently among the most frequently attacked nations in cyberspace, trailing only Ukraine, according to international security expert Sławomir Dębski. He warns that modern conflicts increasingly begin with digital assaults on banking, public administration, energy and communications systems, potentially disrupting daily life before any conventional military engagement. While Poland’s Cyber Defence Forces are regarded as among the most capable in Europe, experts note persistent gaps in preparedness for hybrid threats and outdated legal frameworks that do not fully address 21st‑century warfare.

Polish internal security agency ABW has warned that cyber attacks are shifting from espionage toward physical disruption of critical infrastructure. Researchers highlight how attackers exploit poorly secured industrial control systems, often using AI to identify targets, and cite recent incidents such as an attempted intrusion on a municipal water utility in Mexico and attacks on U.S. transportation and utility networks linked to Iranian state‑sponsored groups. The trend underscores the growing risk that cyber incidents could cause tangible damage to essential services across Europe and beyond.