The Norwegian authorities reported on Monday, July 24, a computer attack against the platform of 12 ministries, an operation of still undetermined origin that prompted the opening of an investigation.
«
We have detected a previously unknown vulnerability in the software of one of our suppliers," said Erik Hope, the head of the government agency in charge of computer security. "This vulnerability is being exploited by an unknown actor," he added. "It is too early to say who is behind (this attack, editor's note) and to determine its extent," he said at a press conference.
" READ ALSO Disinformation, cyber-attacks: the new world war
A vulnerability fixed
With their own platforms, the sovereign functions of the government - Prime Minister's Office, Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Justice (equivalent to the Ministry of the Interior) - are not concerned. According to Erik Hope, the vulnerability has been fixed but employees of the 12 ministries still cannot read their work emails on their mobile phones or tablets.
«
The government's work continues normally," said Regional Affairs Minister Sigbjørn Gjelsvik. The criminal police have opened an investigation. In 2020 and 2021, the Norwegian Parliament was also the target of cyber attacks, at least one of which was officially attributed to the Russian hacker group Fancy Bear, linked to the Russian services. Accusations "without evidence" then qualified as "unacceptable" by the Russian embassy.