Weekly Cybersecurity Digest [February, Week 1]
Posted on February 10, 2026
Dear Valued Clients,
Welcome to this week’s cybersecurity digest from Make Sense, your trusted partner in building measurable resilience across Europe’s rapidly evolving digital and financial ecosystems. The first week of February highlights how geopolitical tensions, mobile vulnerabilities and expanding cyber-physical systems are reshaping Europe’s threat environment.
From Olympic-related attacks to IoT exposure and global cyber cooperation, the message is clear: resilience now depends on visibility, coordination and proactive defence across every layer of the digital landscape.
✅ Top Stories of the Week
i. Italy Foils Russia-linked Cyberattacks on Olympic and Diplomatic Targets
Italy blocked a series of cyberattacks of suspected Russian origin targeting infrastructure linked to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, including government systems and hotels. Separately, La Sapienza University in Rome shut down networks following a suspected ransomware incident. The events highlight rising geopolitical cyber activity and growing risk to major European institutions and large-scale international events. [Read more via TechRadar]
ii. European Commission Investigates Breach of Staff Mobile Systems
The European Commission is investigating a cyber intrusion affecting its mobile device management infrastructure, which may have exposed communications on official staff smartphones. CERT-EU detected suspicious activity, and containment measures were implemented. The incident highlights growing risks around mobile endpoints and the continued targeting of EU institutions by advanced threat actors. [Read more via The Register]
Question: How visible and controlled are your organisation’s mobile endpoints compared to traditional IT assets?
iii. Google Warns of State-Sponsored Cyber Campaign Targeting Defence Workers
Google has warned that state-sponsored hackers are targeting employees in the defence sector across Europe and the United States using personalised phishing and credential-theft campaigns. The activity, attributed to multiple government-backed groups, aims to access sensitive military and strategic information, highlighting growing espionage risks to defence supply chains and national security ecosystems. [Read more via The Guardian]
✅ Industry Trends & Insights
Building Automation Growth Increases Europe’s Cyber-physical Risk Exposure
Europe’s building automation systems market is projected to grow to $4.11 billion by 2026, driven by the adoption of smart infrastructure. As connected control systems expand across commercial and public buildings, experts warn that operational technology (OT) and IoT security will become critical priorities to prevent disruption to essential urban services. [Read more via Yahoo Finance]
Smart Home and IoT Risks Prompt New Public Cyber Warnings in Ireland
Cybersecurity experts have warned Irish households about increasing attacks that exploit insecure IoT devices, including Android TV boxes, which are used in large-scale botnets. Weak passwords and outdated software are key risks. The alert reflects a wider European trend of expanding attack surfaces as connected consumer technologies proliferate. [Read more via thesun.ie]
Consider: How might unmanaged employee or consumer-grade devices introduce indirect risk into your network environment?
Belgium Opens €2.5bn Advanced Semiconductor Cyber-resilience Pilot Line
Belgium’s research centre imec launched NanoIC, a €2.5 billion pilot line to develop next-generation semiconductors under the EU Chips Act. The facility aims to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty and supply-chain security, a critical foundation for cybersecurity, encryption, and resilient digital infrastructure across defence, telecoms, and other critical industries. [Read more via Reuters]
✅ Regulatory & Policy Updates
ENISA Publishes New International Strategy for Global Cyber Cooperation
On 9 February 2026, the EU cybersecurity agency ENISA released its International Strategy, outlining expanded cooperation with global partners, joint incident response coordination and strengthened threat intelligence exchange. The plan supports the EU’s broader goal of reinforcing cross-border resilience and aligning external partnerships with its evolving cybersecurity regulatory framework. [Read more via enisa.europa.eu]
Reflect: Which external intelligence-sharing partnerships currently strengthen your organisation’s threat awareness?
EU Competition Authorities Review Google’s Wiz Acquisition Over Cloud Security Risks
EU competition authorities are reviewing Google’s proposed acquisition of cloud security provider Wiz and assessing potential risks of market concentration in the cloud cybersecurity sector. The scrutiny reflects growing regulatory focus on consolidation in critical digital infrastructure and the strategic importance of maintaining competitive, resilient cloud security capabilities across Europe’s digital economy. [Read more via Reuters]
✅ Cyber IQ Challenge + Proactive Security Hacks
Quick Quiz:
Which emerging technology area is most likely to expand Europe’s cyber-physical attack surface in the next two years?
A) Quantum computing labs
B) Building automation and smart infrastructure
C) Satellite navigation systems
D) Digital identity wallets
(Answer below)
Smart Security Moves of the Week:
- Protect major-event exposure: Implement surge monitoring and threat intelligence during high-visibility operational periods.
- Secure the mobile edge: Enforce MDM hardening, encrypted communications and device compliance monitoring.
- Map cyber-physical risk: Extend asset visibility to OT, IoT and building management systems.
- Strengthen ecosystem defence: Deliver targeted phishing simulations for high-risk roles across suppliers and partners.
Answer: B) Building automation and smart infrastructure.
✅ Conclusion
From Olympic-linked cyber operations and mobile endpoint compromises to expanding IoT exposure and global cooperation initiatives, this week reinforces a central reality: Europe’s risk landscape is becoming more interconnected and operational. Resilience now depends on securing endpoints, supply chains and cyber-physical environments alongside traditional IT.
Final reflection: If a mobile device, supplier account or connected facility became your weakest link tomorrow, how quickly would you detect and contain the impact?
At Make Sense, we turn intelligence into measurable defence – strengthening visibility, securing extended ecosystems and embedding adaptive controls across critical operations.
Stay secure,
The Make Sense SRL Team & CyberTania
