Lithuania and US Conduct Joint Cyber Operation

The US Cyber Command's National Mission Force (CNMF), together with Lithuania, conducted a two-month operation to search for and detect "malicious networks" in the Lithuanian Ministry of the Interior.

This was reported by the official page of the U.S. Cyber Command.

"We need to develop our competencies and be more resilient to cyberattacks. The war in Ukraine has shown that cyberattacks are a powerful tool of modern warfare, so it is extremely important to be prepared and ensure the security of our networks. I believe that the results of this mission will be mutually beneficial and will contribute to the creation of a common space for security and democracy in our region," said Mr. Arnoldas Abramavicius, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Lithuania.

According to the announcement, the cyber operation was conducted as part of the "Defender Forward" program. This program focuses on partnerships and interactions that allow participants to identify common threats and thus enhance the security of "critical networks" on which both the United States and allied countries depend.

Information obtained during such operations is shared with partners and subsequently returned to the United States for exchange with government and private network defenders.

"Cyber threats rarely arise in a vacuum. Ultimately, what affects one country or network can affect us all, which is why we are fortunate to have the opportunity to work side by side with reliable partners in Lithuania," emphasized Major General Joe Hartman of the U.S. Army.

Previously, Lithuania and the United States had already collaborated on cybersecurity. In 2021, Lithuania established the Regional Cybersecurity Center, which became a platform for "practical cooperation" between Lithuania and the United States, joined later by Ukraine, Georgia, and Poland.

In total, CNMF (Cyber National Mission Force) has conducted nearly 50 cybersecurity operations in 23 countries around the world. Since 2018, these teams have also worked in Ukraine, Albania, Estonia, Latvia, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and other countries.

It's worth noting that Lithuania experienced a series of cyberattacks by Russian hackers earlier this year. Several companies, including Avia Solutions Group (ASG), which is a supplier to passenger and cargo airlines worldwide, were targeted.

Additionally, it has recently been revealed that the United Kingdom and the United States have frozen the assets of eleven members of a Russian cybercriminal group responsible for attacks on hospitals and other critical infrastructure objects in the UK. The sanctions list includes administrators, managers, developers, and programmers responsible for ransomware programs such as "Trickbot" and "Conti."