Ransomware disrupts Poland's hospital operations and patient care

Poland is facing a surge of cyberattacks targeting hospitals and city water systems, which officials say are linked to Russian-backed groups.

 

 Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski confirmed that hackers recently infiltrated the IT network of a major city’s water facility, though authorities detected the breach before any disruption occurred.

 

 Healthcare has also been hit, with ransomware forcing temporary shutdowns in several hospitals and exposing sensitive patient data

 

The government has attributed many of these incidents to Moscow’s hybrid warfare strategy, noting that Poland’s role as one of Ukraine’s strongest allies makes it a prime target.

 

In August, Reuters reported that Polish authorities had foiled a cyberattack on a large city’s water supply, describing it as part of a broader pattern of Russian-linked operations across Europe.

 

 Similar attacks have been documented elsewhere: in Norway, hackers remotely manipulated a dam’s valves earlier this year, causing disruption to water flow and highlighting vulnerabilities in operational technology systems 

 

In response, Warsaw has announced a sharp increase in cybersecurity spending, raising the 2025 budget to €1 billion from €600 million in 2024, with about €80 million earmarked for water infrastructure protection

 

Officials argue that these measures are essential to prevent scenarios where a successful attack could paralyze essential services and endanger lives. Analysts warn, however, that Europe’s critical infrastructure remains a “soft underbelly,” as many hospitals and utilities still run on outdated systems that are easier to compromise than military networks.