According to The Irish Examiner, Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has raised significant concerns about potential cyber threats during the upcoming general election, warning of various risks to the democratic process.
The agency has identified an overall “medium” threat level for cyberattacks targeting political candidates and parties during the election campaign. Of particular concern is a “high” risk of “hack and leak” operations, where sensitive information could be stolen and released to influence the electoral process.
Additionally, the NCSC has flagged a “medium” risk level for interference and disinformation campaigns orchestrated by hostile states, highlighting the evolving nature of threats to electoral integrity in the digital age.
This warning comes as Ireland prepares for its general election, putting cybersecurity measures and the protection of democratic processes in the spotlight. The alert underscores the growing importance of digital security in modern electoral campaigns and the need for political organizations to strengthen their cyber defenses.
The assessment by the State’s primary cybersecurity body suggests that both candidates and political parties need to be vigilant about their digital security during the campaign period.