Poland cyberthreat regime to expire

A state of cyberthreat ordered by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will lapse today.

Morawiecki heightened Poland’s nationwide cybersecurity terror threat as a preventative measure following a cyberattack against Ukraine last week which affected roughly 70 government websites, including those of the security and defense councils and the cabinet. Ukraine alleges that Russia committed the attack.

Poland and its Eastern European neighbors are increasingly anxious as tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to deteriorate. The prospect of a Russian invasion of Ukraine has Warsaw on edge, with Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau telling an OSCE security forum: “It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before.”

Expect Prime Minister Morawiecki to extend the state of alarm. As Ukraine-Russia talks are allegedly stalled, tensions are unlikely to relax soon. While NATO is under no obligation to defend Ukraine, multiple alliance members have provided varying kinds of military support to Kyiv in recent weeks. Russia has viewed this support as aggression, putting NATO member Poland on the front lines of potential Russian retaliation. While an invasion of Poland is unlikely, its proximity to Ukraine raises fears it could be pulled into future conflict.