"Critical systems of this country are not adequately protected. It is necessary to carry out a complete audit, to bring honorable people to responsible positions", says information security expert Ivan Marković for "Vreme".
Hackers who recently disabled EPS's online system and then demanded a sort of "ransom" for the return of the stolen data have released more than 34 gigabytes of that user data online.
Also, they made it available for download via the Qilin blog, on the Onion network.
At the same time, it was announced that the second part of the EPS database will be published on Monday, January 22. The link that leads to the possibility to download the data published so far can be found on social networks.
EPS has not been advertised for now.
Data not protected
Information security expert Ivan Marković tells "Vreme" that malicious hackers generally initially gain access to data by compromising user email accounts and workstations, all through targeted "phishing" attacks.
"Next, by penetrating the system, malicious groups analyze the compromised environment and collect vital business data, databases with personal data, sensitive technical details and the like. The group that compromised EPS practices double blackmail tactics, they lock the data and copy it to their servers," says Marković.
He adds that the country's critical systems are not adequately protected. As he says, it is necessary to do a complete audit, bring honorable people to responsible positions, and then apply technical and organizational measures according to industry recommendations.
Recovering from an attack
Let us remind you that on December 19, EPS issued a statement that it is recovering from an unprecedented hacker attack, of the crypto type, which did not in any way threaten the production or the supply of electricity, and all electricity trading activities continued without interruption in compliance with the obligations assumed.
"For security reasons, IT systems have been put out of action until ICT experts are absolutely sure that the virus has been eliminated." We appeal to the patience of users of the Insight into the account portal, because due to the security measures taken, the operation of the portal has been hampered," EPS announced at the time.
It was also stated that the competent state authorities were informed about the hacker attack "and are taking measures within their competence".
Who is responsible for citizens' data?
The Green-Left Front expresses concern and demands responsibility for the compromised personal data of Serbian citizens after the publication of data that is available to everyone on the Internet.
"Personal data was taken during a hacker attack on the system of Elektroprivreda Srbija, due to which a large number of citizens have late electricity bills.
After the daily abuse of the system with the personal data of political opponents and citizens unfit for government, the party's employment of incompetent personnel has today made it possible to freely manipulate the personal data of our citizens on a global level", according to the statement of the Green-Left Front/ We do not drown Belgrade.
They call upon the Acting General Director of EPS, Dušan Živković, as well as other officials to finally address the public, tell the truth and answer the following questions:
Did EPS pay the hackers the requested amount to return the compromised data?; What data of Serbian citizens is at risk?; Who will bear the responsibility for such an omission and in what way?; What is the plan to prevent something like this from happening again and how will the data of the citizens of our country be stored?; Did the prosecutor's office, the BIA and the MUP launch an investigation into all these matters?
The Green-Left Front demands an urgent investigation and accountability of all those who have led to this extremely worrying situation.
Two unions of public services supported the request of FDU students for information about RTS employees, since claims appeared in the public that it was a request for "files". The students say they are looking for "public truth about public service."
Among those pardoned is the man who attacked a citizen who came to ask about the street in the office of the mayor of Kosjerić in April. The pardon applies only to one of the two offenses, and the injured party announces a constitutional appeal.
Before the constitutive session of the new convocation, consultations were held with representatives of all the lists that entered the Assembly. The student movement said in advance that they will not turn those talks into political agreements.
The rector of the University of Belgrade, Vladan Đokić, claims to Danas that he has been monitored for a year and a half and that he suspects that listening devices are in his office at the Rectorate, at the faculty, in his car and at home.
After the election defeat, Vučić is increasingly addressing his supporters via TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, where his posts receive hundreds of thousands of views.
At the moment when the institutions of the Republic are destroyed, when Vučić's octopus is still alive, when people are disgusted by the injustice and the stench left behind by the Essenes regime, we have, as Machiavelli said, only civic virtue as the fuel with which we can return to the beginning
The four independent members of REM are an example of perseverance and civic responsibility. Rodoljub Šabić even, upon leaving the premises of REM, after the sentencing of the Informer, experienced that the Essenes insulted him, hit him with their hands and feet. But that too will soon be over
Vučić pardoned the batterers and Dijana Hrkalović. The election winners should abolish the sultan's power that allows one man to run afoul of the entire judicial system
Interview: Branko Stamenković, public prosecutor of the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office
A black picture and the breakdown of the rule of law subscribeThe archive of the weekly Vreme includes all our digital editions, since the very beginning of our work. All issues can be downloaded in PDF format, by purchasing the digital edition, or you can read all available texts from the selected issue.
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