The Electrica Group, Romania's leading electricity distributor and supplier, has been struck by a ransomware attack, according to company officials and government statements.
The attack has prompted the energy provider to implement heightened security measures, potentially causing temporary disruptions to customer services. However, the company assured that its core operational systems remain unaffected.
"The Group's critical systems have not been impacted," Electrica stated in a notice to investors. The company emphasized that any service interruptions stem from protective protocols enacted to secure their infrastructure.
Romania's Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja confirmed the ransomware nature of the attack, stating that network equipment remains secure and uncompromised. He specifically noted that the SCADA systems, which control industrial processes, continue to operate normally.
In response to the cyber incident, Electrica has activated internal security protocols and partnered with national cybersecurity authorities to investigate the attack's source and contain potential damage. The company has urged customers to remain alert to possible phishing attempts or suspicious communications claiming to be from Electrica.
Security experts suspect the attack may be linked to pro-Russian groups, possibly in retaliation for Romania's recent presidential election annulment over alleged Russian interference. The Romanian Intelligence Service previously reported that the country's election systems faced over 85,000 cyberattacks, though Moscow denies involvement.
Electrica Group, listed on both the Bucharest and London stock exchanges, maintains its position as Romania's sole publicly traded electricity distribution and supply company. The organization continues to prioritize service continuity and data protection while working to resolve the incident.