(CNN) Russian cyberattacks on Ukraine have eased in recent weeks but could pick up in the spring, Microsoft says
Russia's cyberattacks against Ukrainian targets have eased over the past month, Microsoft President Brad Smith told CNN on Thursday, but he warned that could change with the arrival of springtime.
"The last 30 days have been quieter" for Russian cyberattacks, he told CNN at the World Economic Forum in Davos, adding that Microsoft has also observed a similar pullback on pro-Kremlin digital propaganda linked to the war. -- "Right now, the Russian government, as we see it, is having to focus so many of its resources on the Russian population, to try to sustain support, that there's a little bit of a reprieve outside of Russia," Smith said.
But, he warned, that situation could rapidly change. "Typically, when the spring comes, militaries wage offenses," Smith said. "We have to be ready for an offensive cyber war, offensive cyber influence activities, and that's part of what we are preparing for," he said.
As of Jan. 19, Microsoft has spent $436 million in financial aid and technology assistance to Ukraine, Smith said.
Russia's cyberattacks against Ukrainian targets have eased over the past month, Microsoft President Brad Smith told CNN on Thursday, but he warned that could change with the arrival of springtime.
"The last 30 days have been quieter" for Russian cyberattacks, he told CNN at the World Economic Forum in Davos, adding that Microsoft has also observed a similar pullback on pro-Kremlin digital propaganda linked to the war. -- "Right now, the Russian government, as we see it, is having to focus so many of its resources on the Russian population, to try to sustain support, that there's a little bit of a reprieve outside of Russia," Smith said.
But, he warned, that situation could rapidly change. "Typically, when the spring comes, militaries wage offenses," Smith said. "We have to be ready for an offensive cyber war, offensive cyber influence activities, and that's part of what we are preparing for," he said.
As of Jan. 19, Microsoft has spent $436 million in financial aid and technology assistance to Ukraine, Smith said.
