ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - June 9, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - June 9, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• India, South Africa, and Mexico Election Results
• ZeroFox Intelligence Brief - EU Parliamentary Elections Present Cyber and Physical Threats
• Possible Russian-Linked Incident near Eiffel Tower

India, South Africa, and Mexico Election Results

The African National Congress (ANC) lost a majority in Parliament for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994. Following the election, President Cyril Ramaphosa encouraged opposition parties to heighten cooperation ahead of potential talks over forming a coalition with the ANC. Mexico has elected its first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum. However, at the time of reporting, the ruling party, Morena, is yet to secure a two-thirds majority needed to change the constitution. Meanwhile, in India, Narendra Modi’s BJP-led National Democratic Alliance secured 292 seats, but the BJP independently fell short of the majority. The opposition, INDIA bloc, bagged 232 seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resigned ahead of his anticipated third term and is expected to take the oath of office on Sunday after securing coalition support.

ZeroFox Intelligence Brief - EU Parliamentary Elections Present Cyber and Physical Threats

The European Union (EU) will hold a transnational parliamentary election from June 6 to 9, with results expected by the end of the last day of voting. The EU parliament writes legislation and oversees the bloc’s annual budget, which totaled EUR 185.6 billion in 2023. It also approves candidates for some of the top positions within the wider EU bureaucracy, such as the President of the European Commission. Due to sluggish post-pandemic economic growth and concerns over security, Eurosceptic parties are expected to make significant electoral gains. At the same time, the main center-right alliance is very likely to win the largest number of seats and maintain its historical dominance of parliament. In the cyber realm, the EU election represents a key target for state-backed threat actors, particularly Russian-linked groups. The campaign season has already been impacted by several online influence campaigns, and there could be digital disruptions on the days of voting. In terms of physical security, attacks by lone actors constitute the main threat.

Possible Russian-Linked Incident near Eiffel Tower

Three individuals placed five coffins draped in French flags and bearing abusive messages toward French defense personnel near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. French security services believe that this act is part of ongoing Russian-backed efforts to destabilize Western countries and undermine public support for the Ukrainian cause through hybrid methods. According to French officials, the investigation remains ongoing. This incident could also be a response to recent efforts by France to further increase Western aid to the Kiev government.