Lessons Learned from the Capitol Breach: Immediate Next Steps

Much of the U.S. Capital’s cybersecurity infrastructure must now be considered suspect, given the recent attack, and possible physical and cyber breach of systems, networks and devices.

“Given the potential for highly sensitive information to be on the equipment used by members of the House and Senate, the best course with any device that may have been compromised is to rebuild it from a bare system, restoring needed data from backup,” said Saryu Nayyar, the CEO of Gurucul.

“If there was any chance for a third party to have gotten physical access to the device, it must be assumed that the device has been compromised and some form of malware has been installed.

“Essentially, these intruders may have accessed any types of information and systems. If any of the people who stormed the Capitol gained physical access to a system, there is a very real possibility that it has been compromised. It could be anything from IoT devices to desktops, laptops, tablets, or phones. While there is no specific evidence released to the public that any of the intruders had the required skills, it is logical to assume that at least a few of them did and to act accordingly.”

Moreover, it is naïve to assume that the attackers themselves were the sole threats to The Capital’s IT infrastructure during the attack.

“Watching the mob marauding thru the Capitol had me thinking of how a few foreign agents with malicious intent could mix in with the mob and do significant damage,” said David J. Perez CEO at Shared Assessments. “Digital listening devices and malware could have been installed on computers or phones. In fact, there was a cell phone on the desk in the photo of the man in Nancy Pelosi’s office. This was a serious national security breach particularly on the heels of the reporting of the massive cyber breach. The Russians won’t be distracted by this chaos, they will use it to their advantage.”

“This event was an example of the ‘Big Unknown.’ The only thing we can predict in cybersecurity is that we often won’t know what happens next,” said Chloé Messdaghi, chief strategist at Point3 Security.

“When someone has physical access to your computer, it’s over in terms of device security. What we do on and with our own devices in our own offices day to day has greater impact than we know,” she said.

“There’s zero excuse for an unlocked computer – in either the public or private sectors. This is a huge situation because some staffers definitely had unlocked computers and at least one that we know of was stolen. This potentially gave these intruders physical access to really sensitive materials.”

Immediate Next Steps
Undoubtedly, analysis to identify all potentially exposed data and systems is underway, and IT and cybersecurity teams are working on restoration, rebuilding and mitigation.

“Inventory Incident Response (IR) needs to be run, and the networks are probably going to have to be rebuilt. Every computer needs to be wiped and every device such as fax and copy machines must be inspected before going back on the net,” Messdaghi said.

"In terms of the kind of protocols that are likely in place to bolster security and ensure no one gets into systems under such a future event, then at the very least, there should be multi-factor authentication,” Nayyar said. “The government has had this technology in place for many years, and it is almost certainly in use at the Capitol. Secure systems are kept in areas that restrict physical access, which makes compromising them much more difficult.”

This advice translates to corporations and organizations of all types.

“Plan to avoid a cyber incident provoked by a physical intrusion, whether from a physical assault on a facility or through the theft of a laptop or other device,” Nayyar said. “Software designed to detect unusual access on endpoints should be in place, and a behavior analytics platform can quickly identify unusual activity on the network or connected hosts.”

Messdaghi recommends that all staff have enabled disk encryption, and device passwords that are complex, frequently changed, and non-intuitive.

“We won’t yet know if anyone did anything with cyber resources but this shows why we can take zero chances. Both foreign and domestic terrorists are in search of anything they can purloin.”

She sees the appointment of Anne Neuberger to a newly created cybersecurity role on the National Security Council as welcome news. Neuberger has served as the NSA’s director of cybersecurity since 2019 and has been with the Agency for more than a decade.

“She’ll undoubtedly incorporate the Capital events into her planning. Her background also includes policy and civil liberties, and is exactly what we need at this time,” Messdaghi said.

Featured

  • New Gas Monkey Garage Venue Uses AI-Enhanced Video Technology

    Gas Monkey Garage, the automotive custom shop and entertainment brand founded by Richard Rawlings of Fast N’ Loud TV fame, has opened a vibrant new restaurant and bar in South Dakota, equipped with advanced, AI-enhanced video tech from IDIS Americas. Read Now

  • Data Driven, Proactive Response

    As cities face rising demands for smarter policing and faster emergency response, Real Time Crime Centers (RTCCs) are emerging as essential hubs for data-driven public safety. In this interview, two experts with deep field experience — Ross Bourgeois of New Orleans and Dean Cunningham of Axis Communications — draw on decades of operational, leadership and technology expertise to share how RTCCs are transforming public safety through innovation, interagency collaboration and a relentless focus on community impact. Read Now

  • Integration Imagination: The Future of Connected Operations

    Security teams that collaborate cross-functionally and apply imagination and creativity to envision and design their ideal integrated ecosystem will have the biggest upside to corporate security and operational benefits. Read Now

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.