Slovakia warns of human‑driven cyber threats as data misuse rises

A recent cybersecurity briefing for the Slovak Republic cautions that the weakest link in digital defence is still the human user. Attackers increasingly rely on social‑engineering tactics such as deep‑fake calls, fraudulent messages and the theft of personal documents sent through popular chat apps. Sharing photos of IDs, passports, driver’s licences, payment‑card fronts or login credentials via messaging platforms can expose users to fraud, account hijacking and identity theft.

The annual Report on Cybersecurity in Slovakia notes a 40 % increase in reported incidents, rising to 1 650 cases, and highlights low compliance among energy‑sector entities, with many falling below a 75 % security threshold. Experts stress that investment in user education and awareness is now as critical as technical safeguards, warning against a false sense of security despite the proliferation of security tools. Protection of personal data is identified as a fundamental component of overall cyber resilience.