Newsroom
Cyprus’ digital infrastructure is under pressure as a wave of cyberattacks and technical failures exposes vulnerabilities in both security and operational resilience. Experts warn that recent incidents bear signs of cyber espionage, not just crime.
The only officially confirmed attack so far targeted Cyprus Post on Sept. 29, resulting in leaked documents on the dark web. According to an article in Kathimerini by Elisavet Georgiou, the breach, experts say, underscores weaknesses in how the state safeguards sensitive data.
Maria Terzi, CEO of Malloc, said the state has not given cybersecurity “the priority it needs.” She warned that leaks of personal or classified information damage Cyprus’ international credibility and erode business confidence.
Andreas Konstantinidis of Odyssey Cybersecurity said the Cyprus Post hacker openly markets hacking services, calling the threat “structured and ongoing.” He urged the state to re-evaluate its cybersecurity strategy, shifting from simple defense to cyber resilience, ensuring continuity even if systems are compromised.
Manolis Sfakianakis, president of Greece’s CSI Institute, called the attacks “pure espionage,” aimed at undermining state stability. “The dark web has become a refuge for spies and extortionists,” he said, stressing that protecting critical infrastructure is “national defense.”
Authorities maintain that the state’s response is adequate. Communications Commissioner George Michaelides said the Digital Security Authority (DSA) is investigating and that Cyprus ranks above the European average in cybersecurity metrics. Police spokesperson Kyriaki Lamprianidou confirmed immediate action once the leak was detected.
Yet, cybersecurity isn’t the only challenge. A five-hour outage earlier this week caused by an illegally passing truck severing an aerial cable disrupted services such as Taxinet and ministry websites. Officials said it was faster to repair the line than activate the backup system, prompting questions about the state’s preparedness.
Combined with past incidents, including a 2023 server room flood, the failures highlight a recurring problem: slow activation of backup systems and limited digital resilience. Experts agree that Cyprus’ infrastructure, while improving, remains vulnerable to both cyberattacks and technical breakdowns that can paralyze essential services.
