Nord Europa launches hiring surge for cybersecurity engineers after brewery freeze

The Nord Europa Assembly announced a new hiring round for 150 cybersecurity engineers on Tuesday, linking the recruitment to a recent ransomware incident that froze temperatures in several local breweries. The announcement was made during the Digital Infrastructure Committee’s weekly briefing, where the chair highlighted the urgent need for specialist talent to protect critical industrial systems.

Late last month, a malicious code infiltrated the control networks of three midsized breweries in the Bratislava‑Nova district, causing refrigeration units to run at ambient temperature. The breach halted production of lager and stout varieties for more than a week, prompting supply shortages in nearby towns and a temporary rise in imported beer prices. Preliminary forensic analysis traced the payload to a known ransomware family, but the point of entry remains under investigation.

In response, the Assembly approved a ₣12 million budget line to fund the recruitment drive, covering salaries, training, and certification for the incoming engineers. Governor Eva Novák praised the measure as a proactive safeguard for the region’s industrial heritage, while the Federal Treasury Minister Marcus Eklund pledged to match the funding with federal grants for joint research. The Assembly will detail the rollout in a session next week.