Weekly Cybersecurity Digest [October, Week 2]
Posted on October 14, 2025
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. October’s second week underscored how hybrid warfare, AI-powered crime, and RegTech innovation are reshaping Europe’s risk landscape.
From state-aligned disinformation to FinTech-led fraud defence, the message is clear – adaptability and intelligence-sharing define the next phase of cyber maturity.
✅ Top Stories of the Week
i. Poland hit by massive disinformation attack amid Russian drone incursion
Following a Russian drone incursion over Polish airspace (19–23 drones on 9–10 September), a coordinated disinformation campaign erupted. In just hours, experts logged 200,000 manipulated posts blaming Ukraine or NATO, accusing Poland’s government of hiding the truth. The campaign spread into French, German, and Romanian media, aiming to sow doubt and undermine alliances. [Read more via Le Monde.fr]
Reflect: Which of your internal communication channels would be most vulnerable to disinformation amplification – social media reposts, open chat groups, or supplier comms?.
ii. Von der Leyen warns of “hybrid warfare” including cyberattacks in Europe
In a speech to the European Parliament on 8 October, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned of a coordinated “hybrid warfare” campaign, including drone operations, cyberattacks, and airspace violations aimed at destabilising Europe, undermining unity, and weakening support for Ukraine. She called for a broad and unified response beyond conventional defence. [Read more via Reuters]
Question: How aligned is your organisation’s crisis simulation scope with EU-level hybrid threat scenarios that mix cyber, physical, and disinformation vectors?
iii. Germany shuts down 1,400 fraudulent “cybertrading” websites in Europol operation”
German authorities, together with BaFin and Europol, have dismantled over 1,400 domains used in large-scale cybertrading fraud under Operation Heracles. The fake platforms lured investors through call-centre brokers posing as legitimate traders, diverting funds instead of executing trades. Officials warn that criminals are now using AI-powered automation to rapidly recreate fraudulent sites. [Read more via Reuters]
Action prompt: Audit your client engagement channels: could cloned or spoofed domains impersonate your brand or trading platforms?
✅ Industry Trends & Insights
EU Commission opens internal probe over alleged Hungarian espionage targeting EU bodies
The European Commission has established an internal group to investigate media allegations that Hungarian intelligence services recruited insiders within EU institutions and spied on EU officials. Reports claim operatives posed as diplomats and targeted sensitive decision-making networks, including during Olivér Várhelyi’s tenure at Hungary’s EU mission. The Commission says the claims are being taken seriously. [Read more via Reuters]
Reflect: From your insider-risk framework, which behavioural indicators would you detect first — data access anomalies or unusual privilege use?
European RegTech/FinTech AI firm raises €21M for fraud defence
Czech AI startup Resistant AI closed a €21 million Series B round to scale its fraud detection and transaction monitoring platform. As financial crime becomes more sophisticated, its AI models aim to outpace illicit networks. The rise spotlights strength in Europe’s AI-driven RegTech/FinTech space and investor appetite for security in financial flows. [Read more via eu-startups.com]
Consider: Pinpoint one use case where AI could enhance your compliance or fraud analytics in the next quarter – then assign ownership for pilot testing.
✅ Regulatory & Policy Updates
Germany formally rejects “Chat Control” encryption-scanning mandate
On 8 October, Germany officially declared it will not support the EU’s proposed CSAR “Chat Control” regulation, which would mandate scanning of messages, images and URLs (including in encrypted platforms) for child sexual abuse content. German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig cited constitutional and privacy violations, rejecting mass monitoring of private communications. [Read more via TechRadar}
Reflect: If encryption scanning were ever adopted, how could your organisation balance compliance with privacy-preserving audit methods that maintain trust?
EU begins rollout of digital border control – Entry/Exit System (EES)
On 12 October 2025, the EU officially launched its Entry/Exit System (EES), replacing manual passport stamping with biometric checks for non-EU travellers entering or leaving the Schengen Area. The system records fingerprints and facial images to prevent identity fraud, track overstays, and enhance external border security. Full implementation across all EU entry points will occur by mid-2026. [Read more via Reuters]
Consider: How might expanding biometric data requirements under EES reshape your cross-border identity compliance or employee travel data practices?
✅ Cyber IQ Challenge + Proactive Security Hacks
Quick Quiz:
What primary factor determines the resilience of hybrid warfare defences across the EU?
A) Air and drone surveillance systems
B) Public–private information sharing
C) Cyber insurance coverage
D) Centralised command structures
(Answer below)
Smart Security Moves of the Week:
- Combat the evolution of financial fraud: Evaluate RegTech AI integrations for transaction anomaly detection.
- Brand and investor trust: Enable continuous spoof-domain monitoring to detect cloned websites early.
- Insider vigilance: Correlate privileged access events with HR triggers or behavioural analytics.
- Hybrid threat rehearsal: Run a cross-functional exercise combining cyber, media, and financial disruption scenarios.
Answer: B) Public–private information sharing.
✅ Conclusion
From Poland’s disinformation and von der Leyen’s hybrid warfare warnings to Germany’s privacy pushback and Europe’s AI-powered RegTech momentum, this week underscores the continent’s twin imperatives: defend against manipulation and innovate against fraud. Resilience now spans both operational security and digital finance integrity.
Final reflection: If your organisation were targeted tomorrow through synthetic financial or reputational fraud, how quickly could you authenticate legitimacy and respond?
At Make Sense, we transform intelligence into measurable defence, strengthening fraud analytics, simulating hybrid threats, and embedding adaptive, auditable controls into every operational layer.
Stay secure,
The Make Sense SRL Team & CyberTania
