Gawkowski: There is a digital war with Russia. “They attack consciously to cause chaos and panic”

There is an ongoing digital war with Russia and we are aware that many Russian agents may try to infiltrate Polish cyberspace, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski in Berlin at a conference on Polish-German innovations.

The organizer of the event, which takes place at the Polish Embassy in Berlin under the slogan “Synergy of ideas: from digitalization to green economy”, is the Polish-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

In a conversation with the Polish media, the Deputy Prime Minister recalled that “there is a digital war with Russia.” – We are aware that many Russian agents may try to infiltrate Polish cyberspace – he added.

He noted that the detention of a Russian citizen by Polish services in Krakow, who tried to extort data and illegally obtain knowledge about Polish companies, is “something that is consistent with the belief that vigilance must be increased because Russia is attacking, because the GRU (Russian military intelligence – PAP) is trying to infiltrate Poland at all costs.”

Gawkowski congratulated the Polish police and the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime, noting that “we show a red card to everyone who would like to spy here and there will be no leniency.”

– The problem is not that they (Russian side – PAP) are closing the consulates. The problem is that they are attacking Poland. They attack consciously to cause chaos, panic, and perhaps cause people to die, he said.

The Russian was supposed to interfere in the IT systems of Polish companies

The head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Marcin Kierwiński, announced on Thursday morning that CBZC officers had detained a Russian citizen suspected of serious crimes related to unauthorized interference in the IT systems of Polish companies.

According to investigative information, he was supposed to break the IT security of the online store and gain access to the IT system, including databases, and then interfere with their structure. The man was charged. According to the prosecutor's office, the man may also be related to other cybercriminal activities aimed at companies operating in Poland and EU countries.

Gawkowski, asked by PAP about expectations before Monday's Polish-German intergovernmental consultations in Berlin, replied that these talks are “part of the answer to how Berlin and Warsaw can influence the fate of the EU and to avoid a rotten compromise on Ukraine.”

Among the topics to be discussed on Monday, Gawkowski mentioned security, hybrid threats and economic cooperation, as well as issues of cultural goods, including “souvenirs from World War II that should not be put up for any auctions.”

In mid-November, the German Felzmann Auction House in Neuss was to start selling a private collection including documents and items related to the victims of German and Soviet crimes from World War II. Among others, he protested against the auction. International Auschwitz Committee, as well as the Polish authorities. After the outcry, the auction was canceled.

Gawkowski said that in Berlin he met the German Minister of Digital Affairs, Karsten Wildberger. The parties plan to sign a memorandum on digital cooperation. – The digital sector will accelerate and more and more citizens will use this sector, and it is worth supporting Polish companies in Germany – he said.

The conference dedicated to Polish-German innovations is held for the sixth time, gathering representatives of the world of science, economy and politics. Discussion panels include, among others: representatives of think tanks and enterprises from the digital and innovation industry. The event aims to promote Polish-German cooperation, among others: in the field of digitalization, optics, photonics and green technologies.

From Berlin Mateusz Obremski (PAP)

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