Moldova Plans Harsher Penalties for Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure

Cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure will be punished more severely

Cyber-attacks on information systems that form part of critical infrastructure – for example, in the energy, healthcare, transport or banking sectors – will be punished more severely.

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These provisions are contained in the draft law approved by the government today.

Although national legislation already regulates the main forms of cybercrime, adjustments are needed to respond to new methods of committing such offences. The amendments are also aimed at bringing the national legal framework into line with European Union directives in this area.

The draft clarifies and supplements the rules concerning unauthorised access to information systems, data corruption and disruption of their functioning. It is thus clarified that unauthorised access may be directed at either the entire information system or a part thereof. Furthermore, the circumvention of security measures, such as passwords or other access control mechanisms, will constitute an aggravating circumstance.

Amendments have been made to the list of methods by which offences may be committed, as a result of which penalties are now explicitly provided for the unauthorised entry, corruption or deletion of computer data, the obstruction of access to such data, and the disruption of the functioning of an information system.

Other amendments relate to the tools used to commit computer crimes. The draft distinguishes between computer programmes and technical devices, on the one hand, and passwords and access codes, on the other. Their acquisition or distribution for criminal purposes is also classified as a prohibited act.

The draft law, which brings the national legal framework into line with EU directives in this area, strengthens the criminal protection of data, information systems and essential services. At the same time, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and the courts will be provided with clearer and more predictable rules for investigating and punishing computer-related offences.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.

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