Russia Blamed for Coordinated Cyberattacks

Russia Blamed for Coordinated Cyberattacks

The hackers have tried to breach routers, switches and firewalls in an effort to breach organizations across the globe, according to officials.

U.S. and British officials are blaming Russia for coordinated cyberattacks against internet infrastructure worldwide in an effort to conduct espionage and intellectual property theft.

Officials said Russian hackers have been conducting a months-long cyber campaign against network devices used by government organizations, private industry, critical infrastructure operators and internet service providers. The hackers have tried to breach routers, switches and firewalls in an effort to breach organizations across the globe, according to officials.

Officials said Russia targeted "millions" of network devices as part of the coordinated campaign, including small office/home office routers and residential routers. It is unclear to what extent the attacks were successful, however. Officials noted that they have confirmed "some" successful breaches.

“These devices actually make ideal targets,” said Jeanette Manfra, the top Homeland Security cybersecurity official. “When a malicious actor has access to this, they can monitor, modify, or deny traffic to an organization or from an organization externally.”

According to a technical alert, the hackers looked for security weaknesses in network devices that they could exploit in order to gain access. The methods allowed the hackers to intermittently and persistently access "U.S. critical infrastructure that supports the health and safety of the U.S. population."

 

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.