A cybersecurity incident was detected in the IT infrastructure of AS “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) over the holiday period. Since it began, the external IT systems maintained by LVM – LVM GEO, the map service system, and the hunting app Mednis – have been switched off for security reasons and are unavailable.

Several of LVM’s internal systems, which handle the exchange of information between the company and LVM’s service providers and clients, have also been switched off.

The company’s IT team is working closely with the Cyber Incident Response Institution CERT.LV and other responsible national security authorities to address the consequences of the cybersecurity incident.

Māris Kuzmins, LVM’s Director of IT Infrastructure and Development, stresses:

“In cooperation with experts, the company is continuing the work begun during the holiday to address the consequences of the cybersecurity incident and reduce the chances of similar situations recurring in future. The IT environment needed for developing the election system was separated from the rest of the IT infrastructure. We are working in emergency mode and will keep the public informed as the situation develops.”

Varis Teivāns, Deputy Head of CERT.LV, stresses:

“Development of the additions related to the election systems was transferred to the State Digital Development Agency (VDAA), and it will be subject to an independent audit carried out by CERT.LV and TET. The infrastructure used for running the elections is maintained separately from LVM.”