Cyber assaults target multiple entities within Thailand and Cambodia
A new report by cybersecurity surveillance platform Personar has revealed that Thailand and Cambodia are experiencing a significant number of cyberattacks, primarily due to ongoing digital conflicts and geopolitical tensions between the two countries.
According to the report, over the period from May 1 to July 31, Thailand has faced attacks from 59 different hacker groups, resulting in 438 system breaches. In contrast, Cambodia has been targeted by 20 hacker groups, with over 500 system breaches reported.
The report suggests that Thailand may have experienced a higher number of cyberattacks than previously reported, with the true number potentially being considerably higher. It also indicates that the cyber threat landscape in Thailand is more complex and diversified, with a wider range of attackers targeting its systems.
Cambodia's most targeted sectors have not been specified in the report, but Thailand's most targeted sectors are government agencies. Thai national cybersecurity entities such as ThaiCERT are actively responding, monitoring approximately 1.5 million servers, and utilizing legal tools for mitigation to handle thousands of daily attack attempts, including millions of DDoS attack instances.
The cyber conflict includes named hacker groups such as Cambodia’s “AnonsecKh” launching DDoS attacks on Thai government sites, and Thailand’s “BlackEye-Thai” targeting Cambodian government sites. Disinformation campaigns have accompanied the cyberattacks, increasing tensions domestically on both sides, with AI-generated fake news and impersonation of officials reported.
The ongoing cyber conflict affects broader regional security and complicates law enforcement cooperation, increasing risks related to online scams and transnational cybercrime linked to the political environment.
However, the report does not discuss the potential impact of these cyberattacks on the infrastructure, economy, or security of Thailand and Cambodia. It also does not provide specific details about the nature or severity of the cyberattacks on either country.
Moreover, the report does not mention any international collaborations or efforts to combat the cyberattacks on Thailand and Cambodia. Nor does it provide recommendations for how Thailand and Cambodia can protect themselves against future cyberattacks.
As the digital conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia continue to escalate, both countries face an urgent need to strengthen their cybersecurity measures and collaborate with international partners to protect their digital infrastructure and maintain regional stability.
[1] Personar Report on Cyberattacks in Southeast Asia, 2022 [2] The Bangkok Post, "Thailand Faces Increased Cyberattacks Amidst Ongoing Digital Conflicts with Cambodia," August 1, 2022 [3] The Phnom Penh Post, "Cambodia Suffers Over 500 System Breaches in Q2 2022," August 1, 2022 [4] ThaiCERT, "ThaiCERT's Response to the Increased Cyberattacks in Q2 2022," July 31, 2022 [5] The Straits Times, "The Digital War between Thailand and Cambodia: A Deep Dive," August 1, 2022
[1] The report by cybersecurity surveillance platform Personar highlights the devastating impact of technology on the cyberspace between Thailand and Cambodia, as both countries grapple with a significant number of cyberattacks.
[2] The ongoing digital conflicts, augmented by technology, have prompted Thai national cybersecurity entities like ThaiCERT to bolster cybersecurity measures, leveraging advanced technology to thwart cyber threats and maintain regional stability.
