Picture this: You’re going about your day, and suddenly, your entire business comes to a screeching halt. You’ve been hit by a cyberattack, and your critical data is now in the hands of cybercriminals. This nightmare scenario recently played out for Kawasaki Motors Europe, as the RansomHub ransomware gang targeted their EU headquarters and threatened to leak stolen data.

But Kawasaki didn’t take this lying down. They immediately jumped into action, working diligently to clean their systems of any “suspicious material,” such as malware. According to their announcement, they isolated their servers and initiated a strategic recovery plan. By working with external cybersecurity experts, they began checking each server one by one before reconnecting them to the corporate network. Their efforts are paying off, with 90% of their server infrastructure expected to be restored by the start of next week.

Now, you might be thinking, “That’s great for Kawasaki, but what does this have to do with me?” The answer is simple: cyberattacks can happen to anyone, and they’re becoming more prevalent and sophisticated every day. In fact, RansomHub alone has breached 210 victims from a wide range of critical U.S. infrastructure sectors since its launch in February, according to a joint advisory between the FBI, CISA, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Don’t become a statistic: Learn from Kawasaki’s experience

Kawasaki’s story serves as a valuable lesson for all of us. When faced with a cyberattack, it’s crucial to act quickly and decisively, partnering with cybersecurity experts to mitigate the damage and protect your valuable data. But even better than reacting to an attack is preventing one from happening in the first place.

So, what can you do to safeguard your business and personal data from cybercriminals? Here are a few key steps:

• Keep your software up to date. Regularly updating your software helps to patch any security vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit.
• Invest in strong security measures. This includes firewalls, antivirus software, and secure network connections, as well as employee training on cybersecurity best practices.
• Regularly back up your data. Having a secure, up-to-date backup of your data can help you recover more quickly in the event of an attack.
• Monitor for suspicious activity. Regularly review your network logs and other activity to identify any potential threats or breaches.

Let’s work together to keep your data safe

Here at IT Services, we understand the importance of keeping your data secure and are committed to helping you protect your business from cyberattacks. Our team of cybersecurity experts is available to guide you through the process of implementing robust security measures and ensuring your business is prepared to face any potential threats.

To learn more about how we can help you safeguard your business and personal data, get in touch with us today. And remember, the best defense against cyberattacks is a proactive approach to cybersecurity. So, don’t wait for disaster to strike—take action now to keep your data safe and secure.

You may have heard about the recent data breach at cybersecurity giant Fortinet, and it’s worth taking a closer look at what happened to understand the risks and implications. The company is one of the largest cybersecurity providers in the world, offering a range of products and services such as secure networking devices, network management solutions, and consulting services.

A Threat Actor Strikes

Recently, a threat actor claimed to have stolen a whopping 440GB of data from Fortinet’s Microsoft Sharepoint server. This individual, going by the name “Fortibitch,” announced the theft on a hacking forum and even shared credentials to an alleged storage bucket containing the stolen data.

We have not accessed this storage bucket to verify its contents, but it’s important to note that the threat actor claimed to have attempted to extort Fortinet into paying a ransom to prevent the data from being published. Fortinet, however, refused to pay.

Fortinet’s Response

When we reached out to Fortinet about this incident, the company confirmed that customer data had indeed been stolen from a “third-party cloud-based shared file drive.” They described the breach as involving “limited data related to a small number of Fortinet customers.”

Initially, Fortinet did not disclose the number of affected customers or the nature of the compromised data, but they did state that they had “communicated directly with customers as appropriate.” In a later update on their website, Fortinet revealed that the breach affected less than 0.3% of its customer base and had not resulted in any malicious activity targeting those customers.

It’s also worth noting that Fortinet confirmed the incident did not involve data encryption, ransomware, or access to their corporate network. We have contacted Fortinet with additional questions about the breach, but have not received a reply at this time.

Not the First Time

This isn’t the first time Fortinet has been targeted by threat actors. In May 2023, an individual claimed to have breached the GitHub repositories of Panopta, a company acquired by Fortinet in 2020, and leaked stolen data on a Russian-speaking hacking forum.

A Call to Stay Informed and Vigilant

As this incident demonstrates, even the most prominent cybersecurity companies can fall victim to data breaches. That’s why it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest threats and to take steps to protect your own data and networks. We’re here to help you navigate the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape and to provide the expertise and support you need to safeguard your digital assets.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to learn more about how we can help you stay ahead of the curve in cybersecurity, and be sure to keep coming back for the latest updates and insights.

Did you know that on September 1st, the urban transportation agency, Transport for London (TfL), was hit by a cyberattack? Initially, they assured customers that there was no evidence of data being compromised. However, after further investigation, it turns out that some customer data was indeed impacted, including names, contact details, email addresses, and home addresses.

A Quick Recap of the Cyberattack

The attack was first made public on September 2nd, and since then, TfL staff has been dealing with system outages and disruptions. This includes the inability to respond to customer requests submitted via online forms, issue refunds for journeys paid with contactless methods, and more.

As we now know, the impact on customer data was not as minimal as initially thought. According to TfL’s status page, the investigation revealed that certain customer data had been accessed during the cyberattack.

Moreover, the agency discovered that the hackers may have accessed some Oyster card refund data and bank account number and sort codes for approximately 5,000 customers.

Worried about being affected? We can confirm that affected customers are receiving personalized notifications informing them of the data breach, so be sure to check your email to see if you’re among those impacted.

What Does This Mean for TfL Customers?

As TfL continues to work on remediation efforts, some services remain unavailable. Here’s a quick rundown of what you should be aware of as a customer:

• Live Tube arrival info is unavailable on some digital channels, but in-station and journey planning info is still accessible.
• Applications for new Oyster photocards, including Zip cards, are temporarily suspended. If you need to replace a lost card, call 0343 222 1234 (option 1).
• If you can’t apply for a photocard, keep records of your fares; you might be able to get a refund once the cyber incident is resolved.
• Contactless users can’t access their online journey history.
• Refunds for incomplete journeys using contactless payment methods are unavailable. Remember to always touch in/out. Oyster users can manage refunds online.
• Staff has limited system access, causing delays in online responses.

As of now, no ransomware gang has claimed responsibility for the cyberattack on TfL.

A Wake-Up Call for Better Cybersecurity

This incident serves as a reminder that we must be vigilant when it comes to cybersecurity. Businesses and individuals alike should take the necessary steps to protect their data and systems from cyber threats.

As an IT Services expert in cybersecurity, we’re here to help you stay informed and ensure you’re taking the right precautions to protect yourself from cyberattacks. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for advice or assistance. And keep coming back to learn more about how you can stay one step ahead of cyber threats.