Krzysztof Gawkowski is a Polish politician, local government activist, and writer. He holds a Doctorate in Humanities and has been a member of the Sejm for the ninth and tenth terms. From 2019 to 2023, he served as the chairman of The Left and vice-leader of the New Left from 2021. In 2023, he became the Deputy Prime Minister and assumed the role of Minister of Digitalisation in Donald Tusk's third government.

During a morning conversation on Radio ZET on 23 May, Gawkowski acknowledged that Poland is currently facing difficult weeks in terms of cyber warfare. He mentioned that Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has led to Poland being regularly targeted by cyberattacks organised by both Russia and Belarus. Gawkowski also highlighted the prevalence of false information on social media and the efforts of internet trolls to portray Russia in a more favourable light. He expressed concerns about the possibility of facing even worse situations in the future due to the ongoing conflict.

Minister for Digitalisation Krzysztof Gawkowski has delivered a concerning message to the people of Poland. In an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski on Radio Zet, he warned that the country should prepare for the most severe cyberattacks from Russia in its history. These attacks are expected to commence in the coming days and will likely involve disinformation campaigns and infrastructure targeting.

Gawkowski stated, "We must be ready for the possibility of hackers targeting critical infrastructure such as sewage treatment plants and power facilities. There is a real risk of power outages in some parts of Poland, and any cyberattack could have far-reaching consequences across various sectors."

While emphasizing that Poland is well-equipped to defend against Russian attacks, Gawkowski also cautioned that there are vulnerabilities that adversaries could exploit. He urged the public to exercise caution and thoroughly verify any information circulating in the media.

The news about potential increased cyberattacks from Russia and Belarus sparked concern on social media. Some internet users began to panic, while others remained calm. ESET antivirus laboratory analyst Kamil Sadowski commented on the issue and the statements made by Minister of Digitalisation Krzysztof Gawkowski.

"Disinformation can directly affect each and every one of us, so in the coming weeks, we should be even more cautious to verify the messages we encounter and be 100% sure of their veracity before we share them. Above all, we should refrain from reading news from unknown websites, verify every disturbing or shocking information using different sources, pay attention to who the authors of the texts are and whether they refer to reliable sources," reads Kamil Sadowski's commentary.

"Critical infrastructure includes water and sewage networks, power plants, and telecommunications companies. Polish cybersecurity services and companies are continuously monitoring attempts to attack these vital institutions and prevent them. However, it's important to be aware that despite these efforts, there's a possibility that a cyberattack may be successful, resulting in temporary disruptions to water, electricity, or telecommunication services. In such a situation, it's crucial not to panic and to follow the official instructions," advises Kamil Sadowski.

Source: radiozet.pl