A notorious Russian military intelligence unit, known for physical sabotage, has expanded into cyberattacks on vital infrastructure and government institutions in Western countries. The Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) and other intelligence services have issued warnings about the unit’s cyber operations aimed at disrupting support for Ukraine and gathering intelligence on Western arms supplies. Yet, several companies are developing cutting-edge solutions to combat these evolving threats, raising millions in funding to protect businesses and governments from sophisticated cyberattacks.
Escalation in Russian cyber threats
Unit 29155 of the Russian military intelligence service, already infamous for physical sabotage and influence operations, is now targeting Western cyberinfrastructure. This unit has been linked to high-profile incidents such as the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal, and an attempted coup in Montenegro.
International response
The warning from the MIVD follows a coordinated alert from intelligence services in the UK, Germany, Estonia, Australia, and the United States. These agencies report that Unit 29155 has been conducting cyberattacks since at least 2020. The unit’s activities include the Whispergate attacks, which targeted computer systems in Ukraine and NATO countries ahead of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The US has indicted five Russians allegedly involved in these operations.
Impact on Europe
The European Union has seen a significant increase in cyberattacks linked to Russia, mainly targeting election-related services. According to Juhan Lepassaar, head of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), the number of attacks doubled from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. These cyber threats are part of Russia’s broader strategy, combining physical warfare in Ukraine with digital aggression across Europe.
Innovative European startups
In response to these escalating cyber threats, European startups are at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation. These companies are pivotal in developing advanced security measures and fostering a culture of cyber awareness. Their innovations are crucial for protecting businesses and governments from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.
- Eye Security
Based in The Hague and founded in 2020, Eye Security protects small and medium-sized enterprises with affordable security products and insurance. They recently raised €36 million in funding to support its scalable platform, which enhances businesses’ defenses against cyber threats while providing rapid access to insurance coverage. The company operates across a wide range of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and information technology.
- Filigran
Established in Paris in 2022, the start-up offers open-source cybersecurity solutions for threat intelligence and risk management. So far, they have secured €20 million in funding. Filigran‘s goal is to empower businesses to tap into the full potential of threat intelligence, allowing them to more effectively prioritize alerts, investigate threats, and enhance their current cybersecurity systems. Its user-friendly open-source solution lowers the hurdles to adopting threat intelligence. It leverages the open-source community to foster a collaborative network of businesses, governments, and researchers, all contributing to threat intelligence and cybersecurity data.
- Neverhack
Formerly known as Pr0ph3cy and based in Guyancourt – France, Neverhack integrates AI-assisted cybersecurity solutions. They offer an innovative system integrated with cyber threat detection. By optimizing data transmissions, Neverhack provides safer digital exchanges. The company was created in 2021 and has raised €15 million in funding. They recently announced an integration with the Nordic company CYBERS, a leader in cybersecurity in Estonia.
- Push Security
Founded in 2021 in London, Push Security specializes in detecting identity breaches using a browser-based agent. They aim to stop identity attacks in companies by turning employees’ browsers into telemetry sources, allowing security teams to detect, prevent, and block potential cyber threats. After 3 years in the market, they have raised €17.5 million.
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