Skopje, 16 February 2023 (MIA) - Government website attacks are part of the hybrid warfare, as are the false bomb threats in schools, malls and institutions. They have multiplied after the Russian aggression in Ukraine, said Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski on Thursday.

"This suggests that hybrid attacks will be even more intensive and can be even more dangerous than conventional threats. This is not happening in our country alone but in broader terms. Investigations related to bomb threats and those coming from IP addresses that we are able to locate have already been processed. I expect evidence to be secured for 5-6 more cases," Minister Spasovski told reporters.

Spasovski said security services work hard on ensuring peace and security, as well as keeping people calm.

"A special operational team has been set up, one that provided certain recommendations already endorsed by the Government and pending implementation. The Health Insurance Fund has experienced an attack to their system and our cybercrime department is already working on it. We are also cooperating with international partners in order to protect the system and ensure its continued functionality," said Spasovski and added no other institutions are experiencing similar attacks at this time.

According to him, everyone must be clear with the fact that all stakeholders must play a part in the protection of the system and the institutional resilience to cyberattacks must be improved.

"It is not realistic to expect one institution to protect all other institutions. Each institution must have proper protection to their system and experts in this regard. The technology is evolving, and a system providing protection might not be relevant in six months or a year from now. The Ministry of Interior has set up the new ICT center near Prilep, where all institutions can back up their data, and we are already starting to cooperate with them," noted Spasovski.

He added that no country can cope with hybrid threats on its own.

"The goal of those responsible for these attacks is to occupy the attention of the people and instil fear, insecurity and panic. Institutions are working round the clock so that we do not allow for this to happen. Therefore, people must have confidence in the institutions and realize that the police is here to protect them. Instructions have been given to schools so they know how to act in order to prevent fear and panic," underlined Spasovski.