ALBAWABA - A large, almost nation-wide, scale cyberattack occurred in Latvia on Tuesday, compromising the data of 200,000 companies and 1.2 million individuals out of Latvia’s 1.9 million population.
The attack targeted Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) gaining access to the victim’s information such as first and last names, payment details, vehicle license plates and addresses.
Authorities are still unclear on who is behind the attack with Latvia’s PM Andris Kulbergs saying that an attack coming from another country could not be ruled out.
Kulbergs also ordered an investigation to be opened immediately and criticized the CSDD for informing him of the breach after a delay, saying:
"I have to say that I am unpleasantly surprised by a certain IT-security infantilism that exists in some regulatory authorities and government institutions," the prime minister said.
The CSDD, along with Latvia’s cybersecurity authority, have stated that the data stolen by the attackers could be misused in cases of fraud and identity theft.
And since the identities are those of about 63 percent of the Latvian population, "This is now quite literally a matter of national security," the Prime Minister said.
