Slovakia’s Minister of Agriculture, Richard Takáč, announced that the country has faced its most significant cyberattack in history. The target was the Geodesy, Cartography, and Cadastre Authority of Slovakia (UGKK), responsible for managing data on land and property ownership.
As a result of the attack, which is believed to have been caused by ransomware, the agency’s systems were rendered inoperative, and its physical offices were closed. Local media reports indicate that the attackers are demanding a ransom of several million euros.
Takáč assured the public that system restoration would rely on backup data, emphasizing that the risk of alterations or fraud involving property records has been ruled out. He stated that there are “clear indications” suggesting the attack may have originated from Ukraine, though he refrained from disclosing further details.
The ramifications of the attack are already being felt across various sectors. Industry experts warn that the restoration of the cadastral system may take several months. Doubts about the reliability of backups complicate the complete recovery of data.
The real estate and mortgage markets have been effectively paralyzed: transactions are on hold, ownership documents cannot be issued, and real estate-related services, including the issuance of parking permits in Bratislava, are unavailable. The crisis has also disrupted debt collection and legal proceedings, as verifying debtors’ property assets is temporarily impossible.
The investigation into the cyberattack is ongoing, with further details expected to emerge in the coming days.
The incident has unfolded amid escalating tensions between Slovakia and Ukraine, triggered by the cessation of Russian gas transit through Slovak territory. Bratislava has already warned Kyiv of potential repercussions, including economic losses. Slovakia’s nationalist party (SNS) has called for the Ukrainian ambassador to be summoned to discuss Ukraine’s potential involvement in the attack. Thus far, Kyiv has refrained from commenting on the matter.
