Construction of one of Europe's largest infrastructure projects, the Brenner Base Tunnel, which will connect Austria and Italy through the Alps, is facing a serious threat following a major cyberattack, accoring to Anadolu Agency
The attackers targeted the IT systems and digital servers of BBT SE, the project company responsible for coordinating, designing and constructing this strategically important underground railway corridor.
Following the cyberattack, the company's management was forced to urgently shut down some digital services and isolate internal networks to prevent the leakage of confidential data and protect specialised engineering software.
National cybersecurity agencies from Austria and Italy, along with international specialists, are reportedly investigating the incident to identify the malware involved and determine how the attackers gained access to the systems.
Investigators are examining whether the attack involved ransomware or was an act of deliberate sabotage aimed at disrupting the completion schedule of this strategic transport project, which forms part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
The Brenner Base Tunnel, stretching more than 55 kilometres, is a key component of the Alpine transport corridor. It is designed to significantly reduce road freight traffic and improve high-speed rail connections between northern and southern Europe.
The incident involving BBT SE highlights growing concerns about cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure across the European Union.
Austrian and Italian authorities have reportedly pledged to strengthen the project's cybersecurity measures and assured that the physical safety of construction operations remains under control.
