Russians allegedly hack United States agencies: FBI and SVR
Kanako Mita and Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
The United States government confirmed that major institutions have been hacked by highly efficient hackers. It is believed that a state entity is behind the latest cybersecurity threat. Hence, like the recent hacking of FireEye, suspicions are being pointed at the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) of the Russian Federation.
It could be Cozy Bear (APT29) or another hacking unit related to a different agency inside the Russian Federation. However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is hinting strongly at the involvement of the Russian Federation.
The FBI and the cybersecurity unit inside America’s Homeland Security are investigating the extent of the cybersecurity breach – and hackers involved in the latest setback. It is believed that the Commerce and Treasury departments were targeted and other players that are linked in the chain.
The Commerce Department uttered, “We have asked the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI to investigate, and we cannot comment further at this time.”
Associated Press reports, “Hackers broke into the networks of the Treasury and Commerce departments as part of a monthslong global cyber espionage campaign revealed Sunday, just days after the prominent cybersecurity firm FireEye said it had been breached in an attack that industry experts said bore the hallmarks of Russian tradecraft.”
SolarWinds and FireEye have announced breaches during a similar timeframe. Hence, it highlights the vulnerability of major cybersecurity players to foreign intrigues and the vulnerabilities that persist.
Voice of America reports, “SolarWinds says its customers include hundreds of major U.S. corporations, including the top telecommunications and accounting firms, as well as a number of government agencies such as the Defense Department, State Department, National Security Agency and the Justice Department.”
Intrigues obviously work in all directions. Hence, given the political transitional period in America, the timing may be designed internally – or externally – or released by FireEye and SolarWinds because of the current situation. However, irrespective of the timing, it is abundantly clear that a major foreign entity is behind this cybersecurity threat.
Overall, all fingers ate being pointed at the SVR – or another entity within the Russian Federation.
https://www.voanews.com/usa/us-national-security-officials-investigating-hacker-intrusions
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