Two scandalous cyberattacks, two recommendations

Latvia is grappling with the aftermath of two high-profile cyberattacks, highlighting urgent needs for enhanced cybersecurity. Cybersecurity researcher Kirils Solovjovs has become a prominent voice, frequently appearing in national media to offer expertise.

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If it continues like this, Kirils Solovjovs, one of Latvia's highly regarded cybersecurity researchers, will have to move closer to the Zaķusala embankment, as he appears on national TV channels so often lately.

His insights are sought after when the country faces damage from cyber incidents. However, the article points out a concerning paradox: while Solovjovs' advice is valued in crisis situations, researchers like him could face legal repercussions for testing systems outside established norms.

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Ironically, it is precisely the advice of these people that we seek when the next trouble has already caused damage to the state and society, although we are just as eagerly ready to bring the researchers themselves to criminal responsibility for the first non-standard system testing.

This reactive approach, where experts are called upon only after harm has occurred, contrasts with the dynamic and innovative methods employed by cybercriminals. The piece advocates for a more forward-thinking strategy, suggesting that Latvia must empower its cybersecurity defenders to operate effectively, rather than relying solely on outdated methods when facing sophisticated threats.

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While criminals improvise and innovate, the excellence of defenders must be proven with age-old methods.