Police investigate cyber attack on Latvia's state forest systems
Unknown attackers have gained access to AS "Latvijas valsts meži" computer network, taking control of data management. The security service has initiated criminal proceedings in relation to this incident.
Police investigate cyber attack on Latvia's state forest systems
Outsiders have gained access to the computer environment of AS "Latvijas valsts meži" (LVM), obtaining control over the company's information. In response to these actions, law enforcement authorities have launched an investigation.
The Cybercrime Suppression Bureau is handling the case in accordance with regulations that prohibit intentionally disrupting the operation of automated data processing systems containing information relating to state political, military, economic or social security. This information was provided by the news agency LETA, which obtained it from the State Police. Source: PMO.ee.
A security breach was detected in LVM's technological environment during the recent holiday period. Following this incident, several publicly accessible platforms were shut down for security reasons, including the leisure map "LVM GEO", the map service and the hunting programme "Mednis". Internal platforms that allow information exchange between suppliers and clients were also taken offline.
Māris Kuzmins, head of the company's technology and infrastructure development, announced to the news agency LETA on Friday that specialists are gradually restoring the functionality of internal platforms. Some of them are already operational, but work continues on restoration needed for communication with partners and clients. The "LVM GEO" and "Mednis" applications, used by holiday-makers, hunters and forestry sector representatives, will also be restored.
Baiba Kaškina, head of "Cert.lv", expressed the assumption that such action could be linked to profit-making. The attacker is not actually underground — although their identity has not been established, they have described their achievements on an internet forum, boasting about the "trophies" they obtained. In a similar manner, this individual has also attacked other companies in various parts of the world.
The company has approached the State Police requesting an investigation into the digital break-in that took place.
Source: Apollo