Podcast Summary
Podcast: Hoy por Hoy
Host: Àngels Barceló
Section: Tiempo de Economía con Jordi Fábrega
Date: September 22, 2025
Episode Theme: The surge in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, with a focus on the recent cyberattack that disrupted major European airports, and the broader impact of cyber threats on the economy.
Overview of Episode's Main Theme
This episode centers on the increasing prevalence and impact of cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, particularly airports. Using a major incident over the weekend—which left Brussels airport cancelling half its flights—as a starting point, the discussion explores the escalating risk that cyber threats pose to the European economy and beyond. The conversation also addresses the economic cost of these attacks, official data demonstrating their rise, and the growing concern among international organizations and experts.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Major Cyberattack Hits European Airports
- Incident Recap:
- On Saturday, a cyberattack on Collins Aerospace—a key supplier for airport systems—rendered the check-in systems of several major European airports unusable.
- Manual processing: Due to system outage, airport staff had to process check-ins manually, causing widespread delays.
- Operational impact: Both outbound and inbound flights were suspended, totaling approximately 140 flight cancellations in Brussels alone. Heathrow (London) and Berlin airports were also affected.
- Broader context: Similar attacks have occurred recently, referencing an incident affecting Milan airports in December of the previous year.
- Quote (Jordi Fábrega, 00:26):
"El proceso se está teniendo que hacer a mano y por tanto con retrasos... 140 suspensiones están previstas hoy en Bruselas."
2. The Escalation of Cyberattacks Across Europe and Spain
- Rising frequency:
- Europe saw a 20% increase in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure in the second quarter of the year.
- Spain experienced an even sharper 35% rise during the same period.
- Quote (Jordi Fábrega, 00:54):
"Hay un 20% más de estos incidentes en el segundo trimestre del año en Europa y si miramos los datos de España vemos que el crecimiento es aún mayor."
3. Cybersecurity as a Top Economic Threat
- Expert consensus:
- Cyberattacks now rank among the greatest threats to global economic stability according to annual surveys by the World Economic Forum, just after disinformation and climate events.
- Experts stress that many countries remain unprepared for large-scale cyber incidents.
- International call to action:
- The European Commissioner for Crisis Management issued a statement urging increased national investment in cybersecurity infrastructure.
- Quote (Jordi Fábrega, 01:38):
"Este año los ciberataques ya están en el podio, por detrás de la desinformación y de los eventos climáticos."
- Quote (referencing John Doyle, consulting expert, 01:53):
"Le preocupaba la posibilidad de un ciberincidente a gran escala y aseguraba que los países no están preparados para afrontarlo."
4. The Situation in Spain: Data & Economic Impact
- Incident statistics:
- Spain's National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) handled 97,348 cybersecurity incidents in 2024—a 16% year-over-year increase.
- The transport sector is the most targeted, accounting for 25% of all these incidents.
- Quote (Jordi Fábrega, 02:42):
"El sector del transporte precisamente es el más afectado porque registra uno de cada cuatro de estos incidentes."
- Economic cost:
- In 2024, cyberattacks cost affected companies nearly €10 billion, according to NTT Data.
- Motivations:
- Most attacks are financially driven, though the host notes a rise in attacks designed to destabilize countries or regions amidst geopolitical conflicts.
- Quote (Jordi Fábrega, 03:08):
"El año pasado NTT Data calculó que los ciberataques costaron a las empresas afectadas casi 10.000 millones de euros."
5. Looking Ahead: Economic Indicators and Ratings
- Upcoming economic data:
- This week brings revisions of GDP figures: Spain on Friday, the US on Thursday, as well as additional data on economic trends.
- Financial ratings:
- On Friday, Spain faces further reviews from major credit rating agencies after Standard & Poor's maintained its rating the previous week.
- Quote (Jordi Fábrega, 03:37):
"Así que sabremos cómo le fue el crecimiento económico en el segundo trimestre del año... habrá más revisiones del rating de España."
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
00:54 – Jordi Fábrega on rising cyberattack figures:
"Hay un 20% más de estos incidentes en el segundo trimestre del año en Europa y si miramos los datos de España vemos que el crecimiento es aún mayor."
-
01:38 – Cyberattacks as an economic threat:
"Este año los ciberataques ya están en el podio, por detrás de la desinformación y de los eventos climáticos."
-
01:53 – Expert concern (John Doyle) about readiness:
"Le preocupaba la posibilidad de un ciberincidente a gran escala y aseguraba que los países no están preparados para afrontarlo."
-
02:42 – Transport sector most affected:
"El sector del transporte precisamente es el más afectado porque registra uno de cada cuatro de estos incidentes."
-
03:08 – Estimated economic impact:
"El año pasado NTT Data calculó que los ciberataques costaron a las empresas afectadas casi 10.000 millones de euros."
Important Timestamps
- 00:06: Start of economic segment; introduction to topic of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.
- 00:26: Specifics on the weekend’s cyberattack and impacted airports.
- 00:54: Statistical increase in cyberattacks in Europe and Spain.
- 01:38: Reference to World Economic Forum’s ranking of top global threats.
- 01:53: Expert analysis on readiness and international response.
- 02:42: Details on Spain’s incident numbers and sectoral impact.
- 03:08: Discussion of economic motives and costs.
- 03:37: Preview of upcoming economic growth data and rating reviews.
Flow & Tone
The episode maintains an urgent and informative tone, reflecting growing public concern over cybersecurity threats while rooting the discussion in concrete data and expert opinion. It blends concise reporting with a broader reflection on economic and societal impacts, characteristic of morning news segments designed to keep listeners both informed and analytically engaged.