PORTUGAL SAFETY AND SECURITY REPORT WEDNESDAY 9^TH OCTOBER 2024

Good morning. October is the European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM), with the theme “Think Before U Click”. This is the European Union’s annual campaign dedicated to promoting cybersecurity among EU citizens and organisations, and to providing up-to-date online security information through awareness raising and sharing of good practices.

Each year, for the entire month of October, hundreds of activities take place across Europe, including conferences, workshops, trainings, webinars, presentations and more, to promote digital security and cyber hygiene. This is important as on line crime continues to increase and Portugal is not immune to this.

In 2023 the attacks with the greatest impact were ‘ransomware’ and affected local public administration, although it was not identified which local authorities or entities were affected. Local public administration suffered attacks with “more impact”, but the most frequent victims were individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), targeted by ‘phishing’, ‘smishing’ and other scams. In numbers, the national computer security incident response team CERT.PT) recorded 2,025 cybersecurity incidents (two more than in 2022), with an increase in private entities.

The brands most simulated in ‘phishing’ and ‘smishing’ attacks were banking (37%), email and other services (31%) and transport and logistics (20%). Among cybercrimes, but not included in the Cybercrime Law, “computer/communications fraud continues to stand out, with 20,159 records by the police authorities in 2023, although 4% less than in the previous year”. We will be highlighting during the month ways in wish you can reduce the risk of such attacks, through simple measures such as using strong passwords and Two-factor authentication (2FA).

As you have seen there has been a frequent weather updates on hurricane activity in the Atlantic and their possible effect on mainland Europe. In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted 2024 would bring “above-normal” hurricane activity, with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes and four to seven major hurricanes of Category 3 strength and above. The pre-season forecasts based in part on record warm waters in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, which can help fuel the formation of storms, and the expected return of La Niña, which is associated with more activity in the Atlantic.

An average season, according storm data collected by the NOAA from 1991 to 2020, churns out 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. The most active Atlantic seasons in history include 2020, which holds the record for producing a whopping 30 named storms, and 2005, which holds the record for 15 hurricanes. As of Oct. 3, 12 named storms had formed in 2024, including seven that reached hurricane status and three that strengthened into major hurricanes. The latest is Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico, which is forecast to cross Florida today and head in an easterly direction into the Atlantic.

So far there has been little damage in the Azores although winds at Morro Alto station Flores Island recorded a gust of 177.5 km/h on Monday. Only three occurrences reported concerning: “a fallen tree in Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira Island, damage to an electricity pole in Horta, on Faial Island and damage to a structure in Santa Cruz das Flores”.

With warnings in place it is important to follow the advice of IPMA, Maritime Authority and Civil Protection to avoid getting close to coastlines. Keep yourself and others safe by following these simple steps: check the forecasts and tides in your local area; beware of large waves, even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea; take care if walking near cliffs – know your route and keep dogs on a lead and avoid walks along the sea edge or in areas exposed to rough seas, such as the protective breakwaters of ports, cliffs or beaches, to avoid being surprised by a wave.

Our team wishes you a safe week ahead

News

UK – Man who works for a WiFi company arrested after train passengers receive Islamophobic messages

People on trains at Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham New Street and 11 stations in London are among those targeted in the attack.

A man has been arrested after train passengers at some of the country’s biggest rail stations have been hit by a “cyber security incident” which saw them exposed to Islamophobic messages.

Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham New Street and 11 stations in London were affected by the cyberattack on Wednesday.

The man is an employee of Global Reach Technology, which provides some WiFi services to Network Rail, British Transport Police said after an investigation. He has been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and offences under the Malicious Communications Act 1998.

Passengers trying to log on to public WiFi at the Network Railway-managed stations were targeted with the Islamophobic message.

The message sent out in place of the WiFi login page, which has been seen by Sky News, contained a passage referring to a UK terror attack.

“Insider threats pose a significant risk to critical national infrastructure because they come from people who have legitimate access to sensitive systems and data,” Rick Goud, chief information officer at cyber security firm Zivver, said.

“Unlike external hackers who have to bypass security measures, insiders are already on the ‘inside’ of the defences.