CYBER attacks originating from Russia remain a “continuing reality” that Jersey is “going to see more of”, the Island’s cyber security chief has warned.
Jersey Cyber Security Centre director Matt Palmer has also renewed calls for local businesses to bolster their digital defences in response to threats.
He stressed that Russia had a “highly educated, highly capable and quite significant population of cyber-security specialists”.
Mr Palmer’s comments came after Ukraine’s deputy prime minister claimed that Russia was behind a recent large-scale cyber attack.
At the end of 2022, Mr Palmer warned that Jersey had been included on a list of “unfriendly” jurisdictions published by the Kremlin, which he said would be seen as a “target list” for cyber-crime groups aligned with Vladimir Putin’s regime.
And former UK Special Forces director Sir Graeme Lamb recently told the JEP that Jersey should not rule itself out as a target for a Russian state-backed cyber attack – partially because of its “attractive” position as a western financial hub
Mr Palmer said: “Our head is above the parapet, whether we like it or not.
“The challenge that we have with Russia, in particular, is that you have a highly educated, highly capable and quite significant population of cyber-security specialists. Their country is unfriendly at the moment, therefore what you have – in addition to nation state activity – are organised crime groups and so on, who may feel that attacking our countries is an acceptable thing to do.”
He continued: “That, unfortunately, is a continuing reality. And when you look at what’s happening geopolitically in the world, you can say this is likely to continue to be reality, so we’re going to see more of this type of challenge.”
Mr Palmer said that the JCSC would work with the government to encourage businesses to bolster their digital defences through a “cyber essentials” certification, which can be achieved through four local providers.
“We really need local organisations, both public sector and private sector, to see cyber essentials as a minimum standard that they need to meet,” he added.
The local “cyber essentials” certification providers are Clarity, CyberTec Security, Prosperity 24/7 and Resolution IT.
Digital attacks
– More than 80% of the digital attacks that hit Jersey in 2023 stemmed from Russian criminal organisations or their affiliates.
