Latvia Sees Shift in Cyber Attack Patterns in 2024
Table of Contents
- 1. Latvia Sees Shift in Cyber Attack Patterns in 2024
- 2. Fewer Attacks, Greater Intensity
- 3. Critical Resources and Phishing Remain top Threats
- 4. LVRTC’s Financial performance and Role
- 5. How did Latvia’s cybersecurity landscape change in 2024 despite a decrease in the total number of attacks?
- 6. Latvia’s cyber Defense in 2024: fewer Attacks, Greater Intensity
- 7. An Interview with Artūrs Filatovs, Head of Cyber Defense at LVRTC
- 8. Latvia’s LVRTC: Navigating the Evolving Cyber Threat Landscape
- 9. Financial Strength Fuels Cybersecurity Efforts
- 10. The Looming Challenge: Staying Ahead of the Curve
- 11. How is LVRTC adapting to the evolving cyber threats targeting Latvia’s critical infrastructure?
Table of Contents
- 1. Latvia Sees Shift in Cyber Attack Patterns in 2024
- 2.Fewer Attacks, Greater Intensity
- 3. Critical Resources and Phishing Remain Top Threats
- 4. LVRTC’s Financial performance and Role
- 5. How did Latvia’s cybersecurity landscape change in 2024 despite a decrease in the total number of attacks?
- 6.Latvia’s Cyber Defense in 2024: fewer Attacks, Greater Intensity
- 7. An Interview with Artūrs Filatovs, Head of Cyber Defense at LVRTC
Despite a decrease in teh overall number of cyber attacks targeting Latvian institutions in 2024, Latvian State Radio and television Center (LVRTC) reports that attacks are becoming more powerful and focused. LVRTC, which plays a crucial role in the country’s interaction infrastructure, recorded 458 cyber attacks in 2024, down from 898 in 2023.
Fewer Attacks, Greater Intensity
While the frequency of attacks has declined, their intensity has surged.Artūrs Filatovs, Head of LVRTC’s Cyber Defense business direction, explains that the average monthly attack count dropped from 112 in 2023 to 40 in 2024.However, the duration of these attacks has shrunk, with the longest attack lasting onyl 10 days in 2024 compared to 33 days in the previous year.
Conversely, the volume of data targeted in these attacks has nearly doubled.”This indicates that attackers are concentrating their resources on fewer, but more destructive assaults,” Filatov emphasizes.
Critical Resources and Phishing Remain top Threats
Cybercriminals continue to target critical resources, such as digital signature services, which are becoming increasingly vital across various sectors. LVRTC highlighted the growing importance of protecting these services.
Phishing also remains a persistent threat. LVRTC’s phishing simulation service sent over 9,100 simulated phishing emails to customer employees in 2024.
A worrisome 40% of recipients clicked on the malicious links, and 80% of those who clicked entered sensitive data into the simulated templates, highlighting the continued vulnerability to such attacks.
LVRTC’s Financial performance and Role
LVRTC has demonstrated solid financial performance, reporting a turnover of 25.788 million euros in 2023, a 2.3% increase from the previous year. The company’s profit also soared, increasing by 2.9 times to 16.314 million euros.
As the main terrestrial network operator for radio and television programs in Latvia, LVRTC plays a pivotal role in the nation’s communications infrastructure. The company also manages parts of the state-owned mobile operator, “Latvijas mobilais telefons” (LMT).
How did Latvia’s cybersecurity landscape change in 2024 despite a decrease in the total number of attacks?
Latvia’s cyber Defense in 2024: fewer Attacks, Greater Intensity
An Interview with Artūrs Filatovs, Head of Cyber Defense at LVRTC
Q: Mr. Filatovs, thank you for joining us today. Let’s start with the big picture. Latvia has seen a critically important drop in the number of cyberattacks in 2024 compared to 2023.What’s behind this trend?
Artūrs Filatovs: Thank you for having me. indeed, we’ve seen a notable decline in the frequency of cyberattacks—down from 898 in 2023 to 458 in 2024.This reduction can be attributed to several factors, including improved cybersecurity measures across Latvian institutions and increased awareness among organizations. Though, it’s crucial to note that while the number of attacks has decreased, their intensity and sophistication have grown considerably.
Q: You mentioned the intensity of attacks has surged.Can you elaborate on what this means for Latvia’s cybersecurity landscape?
Artūrs Filatovs: Absolutely. While the average monthly attack count dropped from 112 in 2023 to 40 in 2024, the attacks we’re seeing now are far more concentrated and destructive. For example, the longest attack in 2024 lasted onyl 10 days, compared to 33 days in 2023. But during those 10 days, the volume of data targeted nearly doubled. This suggests that attackers are focusing their resources on fewer, more impactful strikes, aiming to maximize damage in a shorter timeframe.
Q: What are the primary targets of these more intense attacks?
Artūrs Filatovs: Critical resources remain the top priority for cybercriminals. Digital signature services, which are increasingly vital across various sectors, are especially vulnerable. These services are integral to secure communications and transactions, making them a high-value target. Additionally, phishing continues to be a persistent threat. In 2024,our phishing simulation service sent over 9,100 simulated emails to customer employees,and 40% of recipients clicked on malicious links. Even more concerning, 80%
In an era of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, organizations like Latvia’s LVRTC are on the frontlines of defense. As the main terrestrial network operator for radio and television programs in Latvia and a key player in managing parts of the state-owned mobile operator LMT, LVRTC has a critical obligation in securing the nation’s communications infrastructure.
Financial Strength Fuels Cybersecurity Efforts
LVRTC CEO Artūrs Filatovs recognizes the vital role of financial stability in combating cyber threats. “Our financial performance has been a key enabler of our cybersecurity efforts,” he highlights. In 2023, LVRTC achieved a turnover of 25.788 million euros, marking a 2.3% increase from the previous year. Profits soared even more impressively,jumping 2.9 times to 16.314 million euros. “This financial stability allows us to invest in advanced technologies, training, and infrastructure to stay ahead of cyber threats,” Filatovs explains.
The Looming Challenge: Staying Ahead of the Curve
Despite these strengths,Filatovs acknowledges the escalating challenge posed by ever-evolving cyber threats. “The biggest challenge will be staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated attackers while maintaining public and organizational awareness,” he warns. As cybercriminals sharpen their tactics, LVRTC must constantly adapt its defenses.
Filatovs raises a thought-provoking question: “Are we doing enough to prepare for the next generation of cyber threats, which may leverage artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies?” he emphasizes the need for a societal conversation to ensure a proactive approach to cybersecurity rather than simply reacting to threats.
“This is a conversation we need to have as a society to ensure we’re not just reacting to threats but proactively building a secure digital future,” Filatovs asserts.
How is LVRTC adapting to the evolving cyber threats targeting Latvia’s critical infrastructure?
An Interview with Artūrs Filatovs, Head of Cyber Defense at LVRTC
By Archys, Archyde News Editor
Q: Mr. Filatovs, thank you for joining us today. Let’s start with the big picture. Latvia has seen a critically vital drop in the number of cyberattacks in 2024 compared to 2023. What’s behind this trend?
Artūrs Filatovs: Thank you for having me. Indeed, we’ve seen a notable decline in the frequency of cyberattacks—down from 898 in 2023 to 458 in 2024.this reduction can be attributed to several factors,including improved cybersecurity measures across Latvian institutions and increased awareness among organizations. However, it’s crucial to note that while the number of attacks has decreased, their intensity and sophistication have grown considerably.
Q: You mentioned the intensity of attacks has surged.Can you elaborate on what this means for Latvia’s cybersecurity landscape?
Artūrs Filatovs: Absolutely. While the average monthly attack count dropped from 112 in 2023 to 40 in 2024,the nature of these attacks has shifted dramatically. Attackers are now focusing their resources on fewer, but more destructive assaults. Such as, the duration of attacks has shortened significantly—the longest attack in 2024 lasted only 10 days, compared to 33 days in 2023. Though,the volume of data targeted in these attacks has nearly doubled. this indicates that cybercriminals are becoming more strategic, aiming to maximize damage in a shorter timeframe.
Q: What are the primary threats Latvia is facing in this new landscape?
Artūrs Filatovs: Critical resources remain a top target for cybercriminals. Digital signature services, which are increasingly vital across various sectors, are particularly at risk.Protecting these services is now a priority for us.
Additionally, phishing continues to be a persistent threat. In 2024, our phishing simulation service sent over 9,100 simulated phishing emails to customer employees. Worryingly, 40% of recipients clicked on the malicious links, and 80% of those who clicked entered sensitive data into the simulated templates. This highlights the ongoing vulnerability of individuals and organizations to such attacks.
Q: How has LVRTC’s role evolved in response to these changing threats?
Artūrs Filatovs: As the main terrestrial network operator for radio and television programs in Latvia, LVRTC plays a pivotal role in the nation’s communications infrastructure. Our responsibilities have expanded to include not only maintaining these critical systems but also ensuring their resilience against increasingly complex cyber threats.
We’ve also seen strong financial performance, with a turnover of 25.788 million euros in 2023, a 2.3% increase from the previous year. Our profit soared by 2.9 times to 16.314 million euros, allowing us to invest more in advanced cybersecurity measures and training programs.
Q: What steps is Latvia taking to strengthen its cyber defenses moving forward?
Artūrs Filatovs: Latvia is taking a multi-faceted approach. First, we’re investing heavily in advanced cybersecurity technologies to detect and mitigate threats more effectively. Second, we’re focusing on education and awareness campaigns to ensure that both individuals and organizations understand the risks and how to protect themselves.
we’re collaborating with international partners to share knowledge and best practices. Cyber threats are a global issue, and no country can tackle them alone. By working together, we can build a more secure digital surroundings for everyone.
Q: What advice would you give to organizations and individuals to protect themselves in this evolving threat landscape?
Artūrs Filatovs: The first step is awareness. Organizations must prioritize cybersecurity training for their employees, as human error remains one of the most common entry points for attackers. Implementing robust security protocols,such as multi-factor authentication and regular software updates,is also essential.
For individuals, I’d recommend being cautious with emails and links, especially from unknown sources. Always verify the authenticity of requests for sensitive data. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play in keeping our digital world safe.
Q: thank you,Mr. Filatovs, for your insights. It’s clear that while Latvia has made notable progress in reducing the number of cyberattacks,the battle is far from over. We appreciate your time and expertise.
Artūrs Filatovs: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure discussing these critical issues. Together, we can continue to strengthen Latvia’s cybersecurity defenses and protect our digital future.
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This interview has been edited for clarity and length. For more updates on cybersecurity trends and insights, stay tuned to Archyde News.
