Ecuador's legislature says hackers attempted to access confidential information

Ecuador's legislature, the National Assembly, reported that it suffered two cyberattacks on Monday aimed at disrupting its systems and accessing sensitive data.

The assembly said in a statement that it was able to quickly “identify and counteract the situation” but did not provide further details about the impact of the incident or the threat actor behind it.

“We are alerting citizens and public institutions that these attacks attempt to breach confidential information,” the assembly said, adding that it would “take all necessary measures to protect it.”

The attack on Ecuador's legislature occurred just a week after the Latin American country held its general election, in which right-wing President Daniel Noboa failed to secure an outright majority. This outcome forced a runoff in April against his left-wing challenger, Luisa González. Noboa questioned the first-round results, saying they showed “irregularities.”

Prominent organizations in Ecuador have been the target of several cyberattacks recently.

Earlier this week, Ecuador’s Radio Pichincha reported that its systems were attacked by the hacker group Cyber Hunters, temporarily disrupting the main page of its website. In a statement, the broadcaster urged international organizations that defend press freedom to take note of the “multiple attacks” it has faced over the past six years.

“Despite constant harassment and attacks, we remain standing—firm and unwavering in our commitment to our audience—which has positioned us as one of the most widely reaching media outlets nationwide and a benchmark in electoral coverage,” the statement said.

In January, Ecuador’s national civil registry, which manages vital records including birth, marriage, and death certificates, reported a cyberattack on its computer systems and website. The attack disrupted online services, primarily affecting the appointment scheduling system for identity cards and passports.

The agency said in a statement that it “will not give in to mafias” and remains committed to securing its systems and protecting citizens’ rights.

In 2023, Ecuador’s national election agency reported that cyberattacks originating from seven different countries disrupted online voting for citizens living abroad. About 120,000 Ecuadorians registered to vote from outside the country, but many were unable to access the system before polls closed.

In 2021, Ecuador's largest private bank, Banco Pichincha, suffered a cyberattack that disrupted operations and took ATMs and the online banking portal offline.