Two Arrested in Spain for Hacking Radiation Alert System

The Spanish police have announced the arrest of two hackers responsible for cyberattacks on the Radiation Alert Network (Red de Alerta a la Radioactividad, RAR) that took place between March and June 2021. According to reports, the arrested individuals were contractors hired by the Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Emergencies (DGPCE). They were responsible for maintaining the system, which gave them in-depth knowledge of its operation and allowed them to carry out an effective cyberattack. The police have not disclosed the names of those arrested or their motives.

Investigators state that the suspects gained unauthorized access to the DGPCE network and attempted to delete the RAR management web application from the control center. At the same time, they launched separate attacks on the sensors, destroying 300 out of 800 sensors distributed across Spain. This effectively severed their connection to the control center, disrupted data exchange, and rendered the sensors unable to detect elevated radiation levels.

It is worth noting that, according to the International Energy Agency, Spain operates seven active nuclear reactors, which account for 22% of the country’s total electricity production.

The sabotage against the RAR system only stopped in June 2021, after authorities discovered the malfunction, launched an investigation, and involved law enforcement agencies.

The Spanish National Police now report that, during an operation conducted in Madrid and San Agustín del Guadalix, searches were carried out in two residential homes and the office of a company. Numerous computers and communication devices related to the investigation were discovered during these searches.