Slovakia Removes New Traffic Cameras over Suspected Russian Espionage Risk

Slovakia removed new speed cameras after a technical review found features that could have allowed remote access to traffic infrastructure from Russia.

The country’s National Security Agency, known as NBÚ, warned of a serious cyber threat linked to several types of road speed cameras. The review focused on Nero R-One equipment and reportedly found a concealed communications module containing 12 telephone numbers associated with St. Petersburg and Siberia.

According to the security findings, commands sent from the Russian numbers might have allowed someone to control the equipment remotely or change its settings. In the worst case, investigators said, the system could have been taken over completely.

The review also found an unsecured wireless video connection. Anyone with the relevant network address could potentially access the camera feed without entering a password. The cameras’ measuring equipment appeared identical to technology used in Russia’s Cordon cameras, manufactured by Simicon, an electronics company based in St. Petersburg.

The equipment reportedly entered the Slovak market through a Cyprus-registered company, which may have concealed its actual origin. Test cameras were removed on Aug. 10, according to The Slovak Spectator, and the authorities ended cooperation with IT supplier Soitron. The prosecutor’s office is investigating whether the equipment was actually used to gain unauthorized access or whether testing merely uncovered a security flaw. The possibility of remote access was enough for Slovakia to remove the cameras and sever ties with the supplier.

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The National Security Agency warns of a significant cyber threat associated with the use of several types of speed-measuring cameras on the roads.