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Over 500 cybersecurity incidents reported in Romania to 1911 toll-free number
Over 500 cybersecurity incidents have been reported so far to the 1911 number in Romania, four times the annual average, according to official data unveiled on Tuesday by Catalin Arama, director general of the Romanian National Computer Security Incident Response Team (CERT-RO).
"The 1911 phone number is the second short number in the world, after Israel's, that can be dialled to get advice in the wake of cybersecurity incidents and to report such incidents, because through these reports you can create types of alerts that can help users. It is also the first call center in Europe with a single call number that can be called form all networks. Since the launches of the 1911 number, over 500 cybersecurity incidents have been reported, four times the usual annual average. Most calls came from individuals, as over 80pc of the personal computers are not adequately protected against cyber threats," Arama told a specialist conference.
According to centralised data, out of the total number of reports to 1911, 46pct of cyberattacks targeted vulnerabilities, with 33pct involving fraud, such as financial fraud, phishing or vishing. Also, 7pct of the total number of messages to 1911 referenced abusive content, of which the most significant ones were spam, sextortion, suspicions regarding the compromise of particular or personal data.
Since May 2, individuals, legal entities and public organsiations of Romania can call 1911 to report cybersecurity incidents they found, under a project worth one million euros. The tool-free number can be used in all the telephone networks and is available 24/7.
Regarding the project 'Enhanced National Cyber Security Services and Capabilities for Interoperability - eCSI,' which took two years to complete, the CERT-RO official mentioned the creation of a community of experts in the field as one of its outcomes.
He added that the project implementation overlapped the adoption nationwide of EU legislation on cybersecurity.
Arama mentioned the Romanian Government adopted a draft decision under which CERT-RO becomes both a cybersecurity authority and a single point of national and European contact.
In early 2018, CERT-RO started the project 'Enhanced National Cyber Security Services and Capabilities for Interoperability - eCSI' on a financial grant from the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA), worth about 869,000 euros, that covered 75pct of the total eligible costs.
The purpose of the action was to create, maintain and extend the cybersecurity capabilities of CERT-RO, as well as the cybersecurity services it offers nationwide. Thus, under the project, CERT-RO launched and will launch sustainable operational services that will allow new usages and capabilities of cybersecurity services, processes and tools.
Connecting Europe Facility - the Telecom Programme is a key instrument of the European Union for facilitating cross-border interactions between public administration, business and citizens, by introducing digital infrastructure services and broadband networks.
CERT-RO is a public organisation operating under the authority of the Ministry of Communications and Information Society. Its activity is designed to prevent, analyse, identify and respond to cybersecurity incidents. At the same time, it is a national point of contact with other publicly or privately-operated national and international CERT/CSIRT organisations.