The State Security Service (VDD) in Latvia has checked over 4,000 employees working in areas related to the country’s critical infrastructure, with over a hundred being considered „probably untrustworthy.” Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the security authorities have become more hawkish on employees’ loyalty to Latvia.
The Saeima has supported amendments in the second reading, which will allow the state to fire employees deemed disloyal. The VDD has also checked over 7,800 employees since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The security service states that managers of critical infrastructure facilities pay more attention to their employees and request more frequent checks. An adviser to the President on security matters stated that seeing examples in Ukraine has increased awareness of risks. The security authorities have improved their work, with more criminal proceedings against pro-Kremlin activists. However, some suspect employees still work for the same companies, such as Latvenergo, Latvijas Dzelzceľš (Latvian Railways), Gaso, and Latvijas gāze (Latvian Gas). The deputy head of Cert.lv, Latvia’s national cyber security agency, noted that vetting is done professionally in most companies and government institutions that maintain critical infrastructure. Segmentation of companies and institutions is important to ensure each employee has access to only necessary objects and documents.
