Hungarian Defence Agency Hacked: Foreign Hackers Breach IT Systems

 

Foreign hackers recently infiltrated the IT systems of Hungary’s Defence Procurement Agency, a government body responsible for managing the country’s military acquisitions. According to Gergely Gulyas, the chief of staff to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, no sensitive military data related to Hungary’s national security or its military structure was compromised during the breach. Speaking at a press briefing, Gulyas confirmed that while some plans and procurement data may have been accessed, nothing that could significantly harm Hungary’s security was made public. The attackers, described as a “hostile foreign, non-state hacker group,” have not been officially identified by name. 

However, Hungarian news outlet Magyar Hang reported that a group known as INC Ransomware claimed responsibility for the breach. According to the outlet, the group accessed, encrypted, and reportedly published some files online, along with screenshots to demonstrate their access. The Hungarian government has refrained from confirming these details, citing an ongoing investigation to assess the breach’s scope and potential impact fully. Hungary, a NATO member state sharing a border with Ukraine, has been increasing its military investments since 2017 under a modernization and rearmament initiative. 

This program has seen the purchase of tanks, helicopters, air defense systems, and the establishment of a domestic military manufacturing industry. Among the notable projects is the production of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles by Germany’s Rheinmetall in Zalaegerszeg, a region in western Hungary. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s 2022 invasion, has further driven Hungary to increase its defense spending. The government recently announced plans to allocate at least 2% of its GDP to military expenditures in 2024. Gulyas assured reporters that Hungary’s most critical military data remains secure. 

The Defence Procurement Agency itself does not handle sensitive information related to military operations or structural details, limiting the potential impact of the breach. The investigation aims to clarify whether the compromised files include any material that could pose broader risks to the nation’s defense strategy. The breach raises concerns about the cybersecurity measures protecting Hungary’s defense systems, particularly given the escalating reliance on advanced technology in modern military infrastructure. With ransomware attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated, governments and agencies globally are facing heightened pressure to bolster their cybersecurity defenses. 

Hungary’s response to this incident will likely involve a combination of intensified cybersecurity protocols and ongoing collaboration with NATO allies to mitigate similar threats in the future. As the investigation continues, the government is expected to release further updates about the breach’s scope and any additional preventive measures being implemented.