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Moldova’s Cyber Vulnerabilities Exposed Amid Russian Aggression

As Ukraine continues to fend off Russian cyber operations, concerns are growing about the vulnerability of other countries in the region. Moldova, bordering Ukraine and historically seen as part of Russia’s “near abroad,” has been a key target for Russian aggression.

Fragile Digital Infrastructure

Moldova’s fragile digital infrastructure and lack of cybersecurity expertise make it an attractive target for hackers. The country lacks a robust incident response framework, and its cyber defenders are woefully under-equipped to handle the scale of attacks they face.

Recent Cyber Attacks

In recent months, Moldova has faced a series of cyber attacks, with hackers targeting government agencies, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure. These attacks have resulted in significant disruptions to the country’s economy and daily life.

International Support

International partners have stepped up efforts to support Moldova’s cybersecurity capabilities, launching various capacity-building programs aimed at enhancing the country’s digital defenses. The EU has launched a rapid assistance program to improve cyber resilience across the public sector and key critical infrastructure sectors, while Czechia and Romania have commenced bilateral cyber-assistance programs with Moldova.

Gaps in Cybersecurity Landscape

Despite these efforts, significant gaps remain in Moldova’s cybersecurity landscape. To address these vulnerabilities, international partners must prioritize three key actions:

1. Prepare Incident Response Framework

Moldova’s CERT-GOV-MD should prepare a list of immediate operational needs in the event of a national cyber incident, allowing for rapid deployment of private-sector incident responders.

2. “Hunt Forward” Operations

“Hunt forward” operations should be undertaken on Moldovan networks to identify existing vulnerabilities and attackers. This information should then feed back into longer-term capacity-building activities, such as the EU’s Cybersecurity Rapid Assistance program.

3. Participation in NATO Exercises

Moldova should be fast-tracked for involvement in NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) exercises. This would provide an important vector for improving the country’s preparedness and deepening its knowledge about cyber threat actors.

National Cybersecurity Efforts

Ultimately, national cybersecurity is hamstrung without existing competent cyber defenders embedded within well-structured legislative and organizational systems. As Ukraine has demonstrated, extraordinary national efforts are at the heart of strong national cybersecurity.