Hackers have attacked the servers of Slovakia’s Office of Geodesy, Cartography, and Cadastre, disrupting the electronic services of the cadastre and causing significant operational challenges for cadastral departments at district offices. The attackers used ransomware to encrypt the data and are demanding a seven-figure ransom in dollars for its restoration. The Ministry of Interior confirmed the large-scale cyberattack, which originated from abroad, labeling it one of the most severe in Slovakia’s history in terms of its impact on citizens. The office is now working to recover the encrypted data and restore cadastral services, but challenges abound. According to reports from Živé.sk, the office lacks robust backup systems that could facilitate a swift recovery. Regular automated backups were reportedly not performed, meaning data restoration may take weeks or even months. In some cases, data might be permanently lost, forcing the state to rely on printed records or electronic versions from other systems. It remains unclear whether the hackers exfiltrated the data in addition to encrypting it on state servers. Typically, ransomware attacks involve data theft to extort victims for both decryption and preventing the release of sensitive information. The absence of accessible cadastral data is expected to cause significant disruptions. Proposals for entries into the cadastre may either be impossible or require manual submission. Additionally, the state cannot approve changes to land records until all data is recovered. Already authorized changes may need to be re-entered into the system, creating potential chaos as parties might only possess unverified document copies. Proving the validity of certain transactions could become a lengthy and complex process. Experts caution against paying the ransom, citing no guarantees that the attackers will restore the data or refrain from launching further attacks. The Ministry of Interior has announced the indefinite closure of cadastral departments while efforts to address the breach continue. Police are investigating the incident, with the Office for the Fight Against Organized Crime (ÚBOK) leading efforts to identify the perpetrators and determine the legal classification of the crime. This cyberattack has highlighted vulnerabilities in Slovakia’s digital infrastructure, particularly in critical public services, and raised questions about the adequacy of cybersecurity measures. Source: Živé and HNonline