January 23, 2024 at 06:54AM
Online services at several Swedish government agencies and shops were disrupted in a ransomware attack by a Russian hacker group, impacting online purchases at cinema chains, department stores, and the national government’s human resources system. The attack affected 120 government agencies and over 60,000 employees. IT company Tietoevry estimated the restoration process could take weeks.
The meeting notes report on a ransomware attack on online services at Swedish government agencies and shops, believed to be carried out by a Russian hacker group. The attack has affected data centers, leading to disruptions in online services and purchases at various organizations. Around 120 government agencies and over 60,000 employees have been impacted, with the restoration process expected to take several days to weeks. The attack has also affected the human resources system used by Sweden’s national government service center. Both the company, Tietoevry, and cybersecurity experts have pointed to hacker group Akira with ties to Russia as the likely perpetrators. Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin emphasized the importance of cybersecurity and the government’s intention to evaluate the incident after the operational phase is over. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency emphasized the need for increased investment in cybersecurity and preventive measures in the wake of the attack.