Lebedinskii: Moldova Is Struggling to Keep Up with Cyber Threats

Opinion: The state is failing to keep pace with the evolution of cyber threats

The Republic of Moldova does not currently possess all the capabilities necessary to protect the state’s information systems and citizens’ personal data against cyber-attacks.

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The statement was made by Adrian Lebedinskii, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance Oversight, in an interview with Logos Press, against the backdrop of recent cyber incidents and the expansion of digital public services.

According to the MP, digitalisation is a necessary process, but it must be accompanied by ongoing investment in information security. Security systems cannot guarantee long-term safety, as the technologies used by attackers are constantly evolving.

“Unfortunately, the ability of state institutions to keep pace with the evolution of cyber threats remains a challenge. We must understand that cyber security is not a one-off investment. Even if we implement the most advanced protection systems today, in two years’ time they could become obsolete. The technologies used by attackers are constantly evolving, and cyber-attacks are often carried out by specialised organisations, some of which operate internationally. I am not convinced that the state currently possesses all the capabilities required to counter these threats and ensure an adequate level of protection for information systems,” said Adrian Lebedinskii.

The MP believes that cyber threats should not lead to a abandonment of digitalisation, but that the state must offer citizens real guarantees regarding data protection and ensure alternatives in the event of attacks or technical failures.

“Digitalisation must simplify people’s lives, not make them more vulnerable. And cyber security must be an ongoing priority for the state, not merely a reaction after an incident has occurred,” the MP emphasised.

We would like to remind you that, in October, following a cyber-attack on state information systems, the personal data of approximately 450,000 citizens of the Republic of Moldova fell into the hands of the attackers. The incident was caused by systemic security flaws, which allowed access to the registers of at least ten public institutions.

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