Special Services

During the panel ‘From Disinformation to Sabotage: Special Services on the Battlefield for Security’, Minister Tomasz Siemoniak highlighted the challenges facing special services, including those of both a military and hybrid nature. He emphasised that contemporary conflicts between states involve not only kinetic actions but also hybrid ones, particularly within the information sphere.

Undoubtedly, for everyone – the military, uniformed services, and special services alike – disinformation at this point constitutes a highly dangerous weapon. One can imagine that an informational or disinformational message triggers certain incidents, specific actions, panic, and public reactions. So, without question, we are dealing with an entirely new chapter, a new stage in matters of disinformation

- said Minister Tomasz Siemoniak.

Joint action

The Minister underlined that, in the context of hybrid threats and disinformation, cooperation between all entities responsible for security and reliable communication is crucial.

All available tools must be used. We should all combat disinformation, though state institutions must play a leading role. Recommendations following the work of various governmental and academic bodies indicate that in most state institutions there should be a special unit dedicated to combating disinformation, and I do not mean a traditional press office that merely corrects fake news, but literally a unit engaged in the fight against disinformation. We should all be responsible for this, as practically all of us are present in social media and share information. The role of the media is also considerable, including online media such as Defence24 and the whole family of security-related portals

- he emphasised.

Investment in services

Minister Tomasz Siemoniak also pointed to the importance of investment in digital security and the protection of critical infrastructure, including energy, transport, and ICT infrastructure. Protecting these areas is key to ensuring the continuity of state functioning in the face of threats.

We are exceeding 200 billion zlotys in the budget. Hence the significant procurement for the services. Hence the expansion of the Polish Armed Forces. Hence the strengthening of various capabilities of the special services. Hence the new Act on the protection of the population and civil defence, which has been in force since 1 January. Our state, with enormous public support – and this must be emphasised – is taking very intensive, impressive steps to ensure its own security

- he pointed out.

About the conference

For the sixth time, the portal CyberDefence24.pl has organised the Cyber24Day conference. It is the largest conference in Poland dedicated to the broad field of cybersecurity. This year’s edition took place at the PGE National Stadium in Warsaw.