Polish officials warn of escalating cyber threats against local governments

Local government units face increasing cyberattack risks, a concern underscored at the CyberSec Expo & Forum 2026 in Katowice. Experts and officials gathered to address the growing threats to public services and critical infrastructure, focusing on how to build a cohesive national cyber resilience system under constant pressure.

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This is how the attributes associated with technology are used to make politics.

Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Michał Gramatyka drew parallels between current AI access issues and past restrictions on computer processors, stating, "This is how the attributes associated with technology are used to make politics." He stressed the growing importance of technological sovereignty for Poland and Europe, ensuring alternatives when access to advanced algorithms is blocked. The U.S. administration's decision to block foreign access to powerful AI models like Fable 5 and Mythos 5 on national security grounds was a key point of discussion.

Stanisław Korman, board member of the Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolis, identified public transport as a critical area where citizens would directly feel the impact of a cyberattack. Disruptions to information boards, timetables, and ticketing systems could cause immense chaos. He assured attendees that the organization is actively preparing for such threats, with continuous network monitoring and existing security systems in place. "We are exposed, and these attacks are constant, but so far we are defending ourselves effectively," Korman stated.

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Every attack will cause incredible chaos in the public transport system: information boards will stop working, schedules will be disrupted, and residents will not be able to buy tickets.

Jacek Orłowski, head of the EZD Cooperation Department at NASK, noted that over 3,600 entities, including many small educational institutions, utilize the electronic document management system (EZD RP). He argued that transitioning to electronic systems for record-keeping and case processing enhances digital service delivery and security. Security, he explained, has multiple layers, encompassing software, access control, and data storage.

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We are exposed, and these attacks are constant, but so far we are defending ourselves effectively.