Daily Global Cyber Flash: 14th Aug, 2024

August 14, 2024 | Cybersecurity
By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS

Stay informed with our brief guide to the latest in cybersecurity:

The global cybersecurity landscape is under intense pressure, with recent incidents highlighting critical vulnerabilities.

During the Paris 2024 Olympics, French authorities thwarted over 140 cyberattacks. In the U.S., a breach at the East Valley Institute of Technology exposed data of over 200,000 individuals. South Korea is pushing for new cybersecurity laws after military data breaches, allegedly by North Korea. Meanwhile, cloud security issues like misconfigurations and IAM weaknesses have become top threats. The FBI dismantled the Radar/Dispossessor ransomware group, which targeted businesses across multiple countries. In Idaho, Kootenai Health reported a data breach affecting over 464,000 patients, underscoring the ongoing cybersecurity challenges in healthcare.

These incidents highlight the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures across all sectors. Keep up with the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats and advancements.

Paris Olympics Cybersecurity Under Siege: Over 140 Attacks Reported

French authorities have revealed that more than 140 cyberattacks were detected during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Although none of the attacks disrupted the competitions, the nation’s cybersecurity agency, Anssi, was on high alert from July 26 to August 11. The incidents targeted government entities and key infrastructure, including sports, transport, and telecom sectors, but were successfully mitigated with no major disruptions reported.

 East Valley Institute of Technology Data Breach Exposes 200,000+ Records

The East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) has confirmed a significant data breach that exposed the personal information of over 208,000 individuals. The breach, which occurred in January 2024 but was only disclosed in August, involved a wide range of personally identifiable information (PII) of students, faculty, and parents. The incident has raised concerns about data security in educational institutions.

South Korea Pushes for New Cybersecurity Law Amid Military Data Breaches

South Korea’s ruling party has called for urgent cybersecurity legislation following multiple breaches of military and intelligence data. The People Power Party (PPP) emphasized that North Korea may use stolen technology to evade South Korean surveillance, citing the leakage of sensitive information about Seoul’s K2 battle tank and reconnaissance aircraft. The party insists on immediate action to protect national security.

Cloud Security Concerns Shift to Misconfigurations and IAM Weaknesses

The latest report from the Cloud Security Alliance highlights the evolving landscape of cloud security, with misconfigurations and Identity and Access Management (IAM) weaknesses emerging as top concerns. While traditional issues linked to cloud service providers are declining, the persistent threats from insecure APIs and the lack of a comprehensive security strategy underscore the critical need for robust cloud security measures.

FBI Dismantles International Ransomware Group Radar/Dispossessor

In a coordinated effort, the FBI has successfully shut down the online infrastructure of the Radar/Dispossessor ransomware group. The operation, which spanned the U.S., U.K., and Germany, dismantled multiple servers and criminal domains. Since its inception in August 2023, the group had targeted small-to-mid-sized businesses across various sectors, posing a significant international threat.

3AM Ransomware Breach Impacts Over 464,000 Kootenai Health Patients

Kootenai Health, a major healthcare provider in Idaho, has disclosed a data breach affecting more than 464,000 patients. The breach, carried out by the 3AM ransomware group, compromised sensitive patient information and was discovered after a cyberattack in March 2024. The incident has raised serious concerns about cybersecurity in the healthcare sector, particularly in protecting patient data.