Poland successfully thwarted a cyberattack on its energy system at the end of December, according to the government. The power grid was under extreme strain and on the verge of a blackout. Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski told radio station RMF FM that the situation was tense and remained stable only thanks to swift intervention. (euronews: 14.01.26)
Cyberattack: Interference with Control Systems and Network Communication
Gawkowski explained that the attack targeted the digital control system of the energy system. “We were on the verge of a blackout,” he said. He added, “The digital tanks are already here.” According to him, the goal was to disrupt communication channels between power plants and grid operators, thereby impairing the operational management of the electricity grid.
Such a cyberattack doesn’t work through physical destruction, but rather through interference with data flows. If control information arrives delayed or corrupted, switching decisions are subject to time pressure. At this stage, a disruption can quickly escalate into a power outage.
Affected facilities: Energy infrastructure on multiple levels
Energy Minister Milosz Motyka confirmed complex attacks on central systems but reported no disruption to the supply. According to government sources, a large combined heat and power plant as well as smaller, nationwide distributed renewable energy facilities were among the targets. This meant that the energy infrastructure was not affected in isolated locations, but structurally.
This breadth increases vulnerability because large facilities and decentralized sources have different levels of security. At the same time, the power grid remains dependent on stable signals, regardless of the size of the connected generators.
Defense measures: Cybersecurity prevented the blackout
Gavkovsky blamed Russia for the attack and spoke of sabotage. However, he emphasized that the decisive factor was the early response of operators and government agencies. The existing cybersecurity measures functioned effectively, preventing a blackout.
This involved not only technical protection systems, but also clear procedures in control centers. Rapid decisions and coordinated responses kept the system stable despite the high pressure.
Context: Growing Threat to the Power Grid
The government does not consider this incident an isolated event. Gawkowski pointed out that attacks on critical systems are on the rise. This increases the effort required to permanently secure the energy infrastructure.
Another cyberattack could again target coordination and response time. Therefore, securing the energy grid remains a security policy task requiring the collaboration of technology, organization, and IT security.