Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

Four electronic cyber security services have already been made available on the upgraded web portal for network and information security. They are mainly related to prevention on behalf of the administration when it comes to information security. State institutions can receive automated reports on threats in their information systems and the data provided will also include recommendations for counteractions. The users of the new e-services will be facilitated when reporting on incidents in their networks.

In the past few years cyber security is getting ever more significant in modern economies and state administration not only worldwide but also at a national level, said the Deputy Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Kamen Spassov. He opened the training session for employees of those ministries that will use the new e-services on the web portal for network and information security, which is organized by the CERT. The main activity of the Centre is to assist the public administration when implementing proactive activities for the reduction of incident risks when it comes to information security.  

From the beginning of the year up until the end of August, over 1800 cases of breaching security mechanisms in the information systems in and by the Bulgarian Internet, such as password thefts and viruses, were registered. During this year 244 cases were with high level of threat – towards state institutions, big organizations and companies. In 2013 the reported cases were over 9000, however there were no damages as a result.

Thirty-six per cent are malware, which damages and disrupts computer operation, said Deputy Minister Spassov. They have increase four times compared to the previous year. The software is designed in such a way so as to embed itself on the users’ computers and multiply to other devices. The viruses are often spread via email attachments, while 25 per cent of the threats are related to “service unsubscription” (mass attacks towards a server or a computer).

The aim of the training is to familiarize the information security officers with the new functional opportunities of the web portal. The working meeting is organized by GovCERT Bulgaria to the Executive Agency “Electronic communication networks and information systems”.