The Story of Cyberattack – CISCO Breach

The technology company Cisco was hacked by a group called the Ynalouwang Ransomware Group in 2022. This breach showed that even big companies have weak spots in their security. In this blog, you will get to know who hacked, how , what’s the breach’s impact, and how SanerNow prevents such cyberattacks.

The background story: The Yanlouwang Ransomware Group is a group of cybercriminals known for hacking into companies and demanding money to keep their stolen information secret. They are very skilled and have attacked many companies in the past. The group posted a notice on their site and claimed to have stolen 2.75GB of cisco’s data, consisting of around 3100 files, including NDA and engineering files.

The attack wasn’t random, it was carefully planned. Here’s how

• Step 1: Initial Access:The attackers sent a fake email to a Cisco employee. This email looked real and tricked the employee into entering their login details on a fake website.
• Step 2: Credential Theft:Once the attackers had the employee’s login details, they used them to access Cisco’s network. They then moved around the network, finding ways to get more access.
• Step 3: Establishing Persistence:The attackers installed malicious software to keep their access, even if the initial way they got in was found and blocked.
• Step 4: Data Exfiltration:They slowly took sensitive information from Cisco’s network and moved it to their own servers.
• Step 5: Ransom Demand:Finally, the attackers demanded money from Cisco, threatening to release the stolen information if they didn’t pay.

The breach had some serious effects. Sensitive information was at risk, which could harm the company and its customers. However, Cisco’s reputation as a tech leader was damaged, making people doubt its security.

Financially, the breach was expensive. Cisco had to spend a lot on fixing the issue and could face fines or legal actions. This breach also served as a wake-up call to other companies about the need for strong cybersecurity.

Don’t be the next victim for cyberattacks like these.

Always be two steps ahead of hackers with SanerNow, here’s how:

• See Everything: Manage vulnerabilities, exposures and other security risks like ProxyLogon, all from a single unified dashboard.

• Priotization of Risks: With the world’s first, integrated, effective, and rapid risk prioritization based on CISA’s SSVC based framework. Prioritize risks into Act, Attend, Track and Track*.

• Real-time Visibility: Access real-time visibility into the organization’s security posture and IT infrastructure.

• Integrated Patch Management: Collaborate on patching risks with integrated patch management. Ensure the vulns to ensure are detected and patched immediately or schedule patching during off hours to ensure the business is not disrupted.

• Meet Compliance Standards: Automate and streamline compliance management with SanerNow. Ensure the company’s compliance is up to date by regulating the IT devices with HIPAA, PCI,ISO, NIST CSF and STIG compliance benchmarks.

Also, here are some more cool benefits of SanerNow you don’t want to miss.

• SanerNow has the world’s largest built-in vulnerability database, with over 190,000+ vulnerabilities checks.
• It performs the industry’s fastest scanning in under 5 mins.
• Supports all major operating systems like Windows, Linux, macOS, and over 550+ third party applications.
• Seamlessly comply with compliance benchmarks and build the trust of stakeholders.

The Cisco breach serves as a reminder that no company, regardless of its size or reputation, is immune to cyberattacks. Moreover, the methods used by the Yanlouwang Ransomware Group highlight the importance of proactive and comprehensive cybersecurity measures. With SanerNow, companies stay ahead of cyber threats through real-time visibility, risk prioritization, and integrated patch management. Also, by leveraging this continuous vulnerability and exposure management tool, businesses can protect their data, maintain their reputation, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Don’t wait for a breach to take action—stay secure with SanerNow.

Check out the last two episodes of “The Story of Cyberattack” below:

1. The Story of Cyberattack: ProxyLogon – https://www.secpod.com/blog/story-of-cyberattack-proxylogon/
2. The Story of Cyberattack: Log4j – https://www.secpod.com/blog/ep-1-story-of-cyberattack-log4j/