CYBERATTACK ON UKRAINES PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM

Over the span of multiple days, the Ukrainian transit system responsible for passenger and cargo travel have been the victim of a mass cyber attack. The first ‘wave’ of the attack targeted the IT system, which prevented passengers from buying tickets online. Additionally, the cyberattack would not let those with digital copies of train tickets have access to them, leaving thousands of patrons with only online tickets left in the lurch. Despite these challenges, the rail company, released a statement that the attack has not stopped trains from going along their assigned routes due to the hard work of their staff, many of whom worked around the clock to either help passengers or repair the site. While the specific party responsible has not been identified, it is strongly believed that this was a coordinated attack by a Russian hacking group. Security officials have discussed how one of Russia’s biggest tactics in the war so far has been ‘destabilization’. If the cyber attack had been fully successful and not responded to quickly, Ukraine would fall into chaos. This is because ever since the conflict with Russia began, the train system has become the backbone of transportation across Ukraine, ranging from everyday citizens to military equipment and personnel.