When security firms get hacked, and your new North Korean remote worker
Oct 24, 2024
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Cybersecurity vulnerabilities come to light as four firms face backlash for mishandling the SolarWinds breach. They reveal how a weak password unleashed chaos for major organizations. In a twist, North Korea infiltrates a company by hiring a remote IT worker who attempts blackmail after being fired. The hosts also discuss the rise of hiring scams and the urgent need for better employee verification amid remote work trends. The conversation blends serious themes with a humorous take on everything from horror films to the importance of cybersecurity.
The SolarWinds breach highlights the critical need for improved security practices and transparency among cybersecurity firms following significant vulnerabilities.
The case of the North Korean remote IT worker emphasizes the importance of thorough vetting and identity verification to prevent exploitation and fraud in remote hiring.
Deep dives
The SolarWinds Hack and Its Consequences
The SolarWinds hack represents one of the most significant security breaches in history, affecting numerous high-profile organizations, including military and government branches. When developers left a GitHub repository publicly accessible, they inadvertently exposed a hard-coded, weak password, 'SolarWinds123', that led to a massive breach. This allowed hackers to exploit their access, creating a malicious software update known as Sunburst, which was installed by approximately 18,000 customers, including NATO and various governments. The breach highlighted the dangers of inadequate security practices, including advice from SolarWinds to disable antivirus software during installation, ultimately compromising vast amounts of sensitive data across multiple sectors.
Cybersecurity Firms and Post-Breach Accountability
In the aftermath of the SolarWinds incident, several cybersecurity firms, including Avaya and Mimecast, faced fines for failing to disclose the full impact of the breach on their organizations. These companies were implicated in attempting to downplay the severity of their data losses, with reports revealing that they were breached but didn’t fully disclose the extent of the hacks. For example, Avaya initially minimized the breach, stating that only a few emails had been accessed, when in reality, hundreds of files were stolen. This lack of transparency not only led to financial penalties but also posed significant risks to customer trust and brand reputation.
The Risks of Remote Work and Fraud
The rise of remote work has opened new avenues for both productivity and potential fraud, as demonstrated by a case involving a North Korean contractor who exploited his position to steal data. Initially hired for an IT role, the worker’s lack of qualifications went unnoticed until he was dismissed due to poor performance. Following his termination, the company received extortion demands for sensitive data, revealing that they had inadvertently hired someone with a hidden agenda. This case underscores the importance of rigorous vetting processes and identity verification to mitigate the risks associated with remote work, especially when dealing with international candidates.
The SolarWinds have returned to haunt four cybersecurity companies who tried to hide their breaches and ended up with their trousers around their ankles, and North Korea succeeds in getting one of its IT workers hired... but what's their plan?
All this and much much more is discussed in the latest edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.
Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.
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