Poland stops hacking attempt on nuclear facility, probes possible Iran link

Poland has prevented a cyberattack targeting a nuclear research centre and is investigating indications that the operation may have originated from Iran, Polish officials said on Thursday, March 12, cautioning that the evidence could also be a deliberate attempt to mask the attackers’ real location.

According to Reuters, Polish authorities have reported a surge in cyberattacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in such incidents.

Krzysztof Gawkowski told the broadcaster TVN24+ that the attempted attack occurred in recent days and was stopped before hackers managed to breach the research centre’s defences.

“The attack may not have been large-scale, but there was an attempt to break through the security system, which was thwarted. The relevant services are already working,” Gawkowski said, adding that the facility remains secure.

He also said early technical data pointed to potential links with Iran.

“The first data regarding the vectors of penetration — that is, the locations from which the centre was attacked — are linked to Iran,” he said. “When final information emerges and the services verify it, we will confirm it, but there are many indications that the attack originated on the territory of Iran.”

The targeted centre conducts research in nuclear energy, subatomic physics, and related scientific fields. Poland does not possess nuclear weapons and is currently constructing its first nuclear power plant.

By Tamilla Hasanova