Czech construction control system restored after DDoS cyberattack
The Czech Republic’s information system for construction proceedings is once again fully operational, following a disruption caused by a cyberattack last week. The system, which facilitates communication between newly implemented digital platforms and older local systems still in use by some building authorities, experienced an outage due to a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack.
According to Karolína Nová, spokesperson for the Ministry of Regional Development, the attack targeted the so-called “technological bypass” — a key interface designed to bridge older systems with the new digital infrastructure introduced as part of the government’s broader effort to modernize and streamline construction permitting processes.
The outage had temporarily affected the ability of building authorities to process documentation and applications through the centralized digital system. However, the ministry confirmed that the technical issues were resolved and the system was fully restored on Thursday evening. As of Friday, authorities across the country have resumed operations according to the original rollout schedule.
A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack works by overwhelming servers with an excessive volume of requests from compromised devices, effectively rendering services inaccessible to legitimate users. While no sensitive data was reportedly compromised, the attack highlighted the vulnerability of critical government infrastructure during periods of digital transition.
The Ministry of Regional Development noted that it has since taken additional steps to reinforce the system’s cybersecurity protections, working closely with national IT security agencies and external specialists. These measures include strengthening firewall protections, enhancing real-time monitoring, and deploying faster response protocols to prevent future incidents.
The digitalization of construction proceedings, which formally began in 2023, is part of a nationwide effort to reduce bureaucracy and increase transparency in the construction approval process. Despite some initial technical challenges, the system is expected to bring long-term efficiency benefits to developers, municipalities, and citizens.
Officials emphasized that while the recent attack caused temporary delays, no long-term damage occurred. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to the continued digital transformation of public services and to ensuring the resilience of state IT systems against future cyber threats.
Source: CTK
