Man-in-the-Middle Attacks as a Systemic Risk to Digital Performance in the European Economy: Trends, Vulnerabilities and Mitigation Strategies

Abstract

The accelerating digitalization of the European economy has substantially improved operational efficiency and cross-sectoral integration, while simultaneously increasing exposure to complex cybersecurity threats. Among these, Man-in-the-Middle (MiTM) attacks have evolved into a critical risk vector capable of compromising communication integrity and undermining transactional trust across key economic sectors. This study analyzes MiTM attacks as a systemic factor influencing digital performance and economic resilience within the European framework.

Drawing on empirical evidence for the period 2020–2025 and sectoral data, the research identifies a sustained growth in both the frequency and sophistication of MiTM-based threats, with particularly strong impacts observed in public administration, financial services and digital infrastructure. The paper develops an integrated analytical framework combining a conceptual model of MiTM attack mechanisms with an econometric approach linking attack incidence to sectoral performance indicators.

The results confirm a negative relationship between MiTM activity and economic performance, with amplified effects in highly digitalized sectors. The increasing prevalence of advanced adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) techniques, capable of bypassing conventional defenses such as multi-factor authentication, further intensifies systemic vulnerabilities. These findings highlight the limitations of existing security architectures and emphasize the need for resilience-oriented approaches, including Zero Trust models and adaptive cybersecurity strategies.