Poland is grappling with an unprecedented wave of cyberattacks, as new data reveals a dramatic escalation in digital threats targeting both institutions and ordinary citizens.
According to the country’s Ministry of Digital Affairs, 2025 marked a record-breaking year, with cyber incidents rising by more than 140% compared to the previous year.
Out of approximately 682,000 reported cases, national Computer Security Incident Response Teams handled around 273,000 confirmed incidents. Officials say the figures reflect a growing pattern of coordinated digital pressure, increasingly linked to hostile state actors.
Speaking at a press briefing, Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski described the situation as a “digital war” becoming ever more visible in national data. He emphasized that Poland is not only facing isolated attacks but a sustained and evolving campaign in cyberspace.
The Ministry of Defense also reported a sharp rise in activity, with its incident response team handling nearly 70% more cases year-on-year. While attacks on government institutions and critical infrastructure often dominate headlines, authorities stress that most threats affect everyday users.
An overwhelming 97% of incidents involve fraud attempts and social engineering tactics such as phishing. These attacks rely on psychological manipulation rather than technical breaches, making them harder for individuals to detect.
Officials warn that cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance their methods. Sophisticated phishing messages, realistic deepfake videos, and cloned voices are now commonly used to deceive victims. According to Gawkowski, many of these fake communications are now virtually indistinguishable from authentic ones.
In response, Poland has introduced a new national cybersecurity strategy aimed at strengthening digital resilience. A key component is the public platform cyber.gov.pl, launched to help citizens and businesses report incidents and access support services.
Cybersecurity threats rising across the EU
Poland’s experience reflects a broader trend across the European Union, where cyberattacks have intensified in both scale and complexity. EU institutions and member states have reported growing threats targeting energy infrastructure, financial systems, and public administration.
The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity has repeatedly warned that Europe is entering a period of heightened cyber risk, driven by geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change. Ransomware campaigns, state-sponsored espionage, and disinformation operations have all increased significantly in recent years.
Notably, several EU countries have faced major incidents involving healthcare systems, transport networks, and government databases, highlighting vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Experts point out that the rise of AI-powered cybercrime is further complicating defense efforts across the region.
As Poland strengthens its digital defenses, the challenge remains part of a wider European struggle to secure cyberspace against increasingly sophisticated and persistent threats. Photo by jaydeep_, Wikimedia commons.