Poland Records 682,000 Cyberattacks as Government Declares State of "Digital War"

Digital Affairs Minister Gawkowski warns of a "digital war" as Poland sees a 140% rise in cyberattacks. Read about the $760M plan to defend critical infrastructure.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 2:49 PM EDT

Source: Source Information for this report was sourced from the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs and Reuters.

The Surge of the "Digital Frontline"

Poland has officially become the primary target for state-sponsored cyber offensives within NATO. Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski revealed on Thursday that 2025 was a watershed year for the country’s digital security, with reported incidents rising from roughly 280,000 in 2024 to over 682,000. This 140% surge is being categorized by the government not as random criminal activity, but as a coordinated "digital war" waged by hostile states—primarily Russia—intended to destabilize Poland’s role as the central logistics hub for Western aid to Ukraine.

Targeting Critical Infrastructure

The nature of the attacks has shifted from simple data breaches to attempts at physical disruption. Minister Gawkowski emphasized that "critical infrastructure" is now the frontline. In a sobering example from August 2025, Polish security services thwarted a sophisticated attempt to disrupt the water supply of a major metropolitan area. Similar attempts have targeted the national energy grid and government communication systems, aiming to trigger widespread civil unrest or technical paralysis.

Countering Disinformation and "Fake Mobilization"

A significant portion of the "digital war" involves the spread of high-stakes disinformation. The minister cited a specific 2025 attack on the Polish Press Agency (PAP), where hackers planted a false report claiming that the government was mobilizing citizens for active war. Such attacks are designed to manipulate public sentiment and create diplomatic friction with NATO allies. In response, Warsaw has allocated over 3 billion zlotys ($760 million) to bolster the "Cyberspace Defense Forces" and enhance the resilience of state-owned media and information portals.