Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed that security measures have been introduced at the Malta International Airport, hospitals, and several government departments in response to potential cyber-attack threats.

Abela confirmed this in Parliament yesterday in response to a question by Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Beppe Fenech Adami, who referred to recent  cyber attacks that targeted the check-in desk software at major European airports, including in Brussels, London and Berlin, causing widespread disruption.

“I happened to be at one of the impacted airports, where passengers were being processed by paper – this is what cyber attacks reduce you to,” Abela responded.

He referred to a recent statement by Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, who urged European leaders to understand that modern warfare has moved to the digital realm.

“His point was that we must understand that attacks across Europe are no longer traditional, with planes and cannons alone, but have moved to cyber attacks and drones – one boy can control 10,000 drones simultaneously.”

“Rest assured that Malta is prepared for potential cyber attacks. I thank MITA for keeping our systems safe, including at our hospitals, airport and several government departments. Rest assured that we’re prepared. We’re not immune to an attack but we have taken the necessary safeguards.”