Norway accuses Russia of data attack on parliament
Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide (H) says that the government assesses that Russia is behind the data attack on the email systems in the Norwegian parliament (Storting).
“This is a serious incident that affects our most important democratic institution,” Søreide noted in a press release.
She stated that the security and intelligence services are working closely on the handling of the incident.
“Based on the information the government has, it is our assessment that Russia is behind this activity,” Søreide noted.
“Digital security breaches can only be averted if both companies and private individuals contribute to preventive security work. All companies are recommended to follow the National Security Authority’s (NSM) recommendations on passwords and NSM’s basic principles for ICT security,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out.
PST investigation
The Police Security Service (PST) stated that their investigation is independent of the government’s accusation that Russia is behind the computer attack on the Storting.
PST did not want to point to Russia in the current phase of the investigation, communications director Trond Hugubakken told news bureau NTB.
“There are several others who give the government information in this case, so you have to ask the government about the foundation for the accusation.
“We are investigating the case, and the investigation is ongoing regardless of what the government comes out with,” Hugubakken noted.
He did not answer whether PST was investigating other possible culprits.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
