Most companies today recognize the risk of cyber attacks. They often seem like individual attacks on your system that could knock your business out of function or expose sensitive information from your company or customers. Yet, there are other types of attacks, including those called mass cyber-attacks, that, on a large scale, can wreak havoc on multiple systems.
Mass Hacking Attacks: Where Are They Coming From?
The Center for Strategic & International Studies can provide a good look at the evolution of cyber attacks over time. In fact, the agency has been recording and monitoring them since 2006. Yet, big attacks, such as those on government agencies, defense companies, tech companies, and other large enterprises, create a very high risk of costly losses. How do these attacks happen, and why?
Technology with Bugs
Most companies today use tools such as firewalls and virus solutions to block intruders and hold off malicious hackers. They are necessary tools, but numerous times over the course of recent history, those products have been linked to software bugs. Those bugs allow malicious hackers to get into networks – the very same networks these tools are designed to protect – often exposing many people and businesses to significant risks.
In many situations, these bugs have been linked directly to the vast number of mass-hacking campaigns that have occurred. In these instances, hackers will abuse these security flaws, often thought of as easy-to-exploit flaws, and get into networks. By getting into the should-be software programs designed to protect networks, malicious hackers can easily access those networks.
Consider that for a moment. Hackers hack into the software that is protecting networks, gaining access to those networks, and causing organizations, governments, and many others millions of dollars worth of damage.
To understand the problem, it is critical to look back over history to see where these types of risks began and to take a closer look at how they evolved. We do not have to go far since one of the first major events happened just a few years ago.
Forta File-Transfer Tool Hack
Consider the January 2023 Fortra file-transfer tool hack. This breach spanned 130 organizations with access through GoAnywhere, a type of managed file transfer software system. Companies use this tool to share files and sensitive data in a “safe” manner.
This breach was claimed by Clop, a ransomware gang that exploited a bug that compromised the personal data of millions of people. The company had no time to fix the problem before it was under attack. That data was later published. It involved information from organizations such as Rubrik (a security company), Hitachi Energy, and NationBenefits.
MOVEIt Flaws Lead to Hack
Just a few months later, in May, MOVEit flaws allowed for the theft of some 60 million people’s data. In this situation, hackers abused a flaw in another file transfer software from Progress Software. They were able to gain data from numerous organizations. The Clop ransomware group claimed responsibility for this attack as well.
One of the largest victims of this hack was Maximus, one of the largest government-serving contracting companies operating in the US. That company’s data alone involved 11 million people.
Cisco Router Attack
Another mass hacker attack happened in October of 2023. An unpatched zero-day vulnerability in Cisco’s networking software led to the compromising of thousands of devices that use the software. That include wireless controllers, access points, individual routers, and enterprise switches.
This particular bug allowed the malicious hackers to gain full control over the device it reached. Cisco did not come forward with clarification on the number of people impacted. However, 42,000 compromised devices were exposed to the internet.
Ivanti VPN Bugs
Another type of breach occurred in January of 2024. This one involved an exploitation of Ivanti VPN bugs. Ivanti quickly rose to the top of one of the most at-risk networks. That’s because Chinese state-backed hackers are said to have exploited two critical zero-day vulnerabilities in the company’s Connect Secure VPN appliance. Initially, the company claimed that just a handful of people were impacted, but later, it was found that 1700 Ivanti appliances were exposed.
Some of the most worrisome of those infected devices included US government agency systems, including defense and telecoms. It included aerospace and banking organizations.
ConnectWise Hack
In February of 2024, ConnectWise customers were put at risk. Malicious cyber attacks involved two easy-to-exploit vulnerabilities in the remote access tool. This tool lets IT and support service providers remotely provide services to their customers.
The cybersecurity company Mandiant noted at the time that its researchers had identified the mass exploitation of two flaws, which allowed for the placement of backdoors, password stealers, and other types of threats.
Mass Cyber Attacks and PII
This is just a handful of the numerous mass cyber attacks that have occurred in the last few years. As a company, you may be unsure what you can do to protect yourself when you have security companies – those who you already pay to protect you – allowing back actors into your company’s files.
Consider the importance of PII compliance. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is critical for you, as a company of any type, to protect. PPI compliance is the rules and guidelines that govern the best practices for reducing these types of risks and protecting others. PII includes everything from names and social security numbers to financial information and email addresses.
Compliance is complex yet critical. Organizations must uphold the privacy rights of any person who uses their system or tools, buys from them, or otherwise shares sensitive information. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to reputation damage, loss of customer confidence in your business, and significant financial penalties.
How TeraDact Can Help You
TeraDact’s robust data security solutions allow you to minimize the risk of any type of breach and cyber attack, providing you with a way to reduce risk and meet PII compliance. Learn how TeraDact can help you through improved security, 4R analysis, data consolidation, and proactive governance. Contact us today to learn more.
