Critical infrastructure

EU cybersecurity exercise organised to test energy sector’s cyber resilience

The 7th edition of Cyber Europe, organised by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), tested the resilience of the EU energy sector, highlighting cybersecurity as an increasing threat to critical infrastructure. In 2023, over 200 cyber incidents targeted the energy sector, with more than half aimed specifically at Europe, underscoring the sector’s vulnerability due to its crucial role in the European economy.

Juhan Lepassaar, Executive Director of ENISA, highlighted the exercise’s role in enhancing preparedness and response capacities to protect critical infrastructure, essential for the single market’s stability.

According to ENISA’s Network and Information Security (NIS) Investments report, 32% of energy sector operators lack Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring for critical Operation Technology (OT) processes, while 52% integrate OT and Information Technology (IT) under a single SOC.

This year’s Cyber Europe exercise focused on a scenario involving cyber threats to EU energy infrastructure amidst geopolitical tensions. Over two days, stakeholders from 30 national cybersecurity agencies and numerous EU bodies collaborated, developing crisis management skills and coordinating responses to simulated cyber incidents. The exercise, one of Europe’s largest, involved over thousand experts across various domains, facilitated by ENISA, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024.

Japan’s space agency hit by series of cyberattacks, no sensitive data breached, officials confirm

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed that Japan’s space agency, JAXA, has been targeted by several cyberattacks since late last year. The agency has been investigating the breaches, shutting down affected networks, and verifying that no classified information related to rocket and satellite operations or national security was compromised.

Hayashi also confirmed that hackers are located outside Japan and emphasised Japan’s commitment to enhancing its cybersecurity defences. Amidst increasing military developments in response to China’s growing power, Japan aims to develop a counterstrike capability, though experts believe Tokyo will still rely heavily on the United States for launching long-range missiles.

Defense Minister Minoru Kihara assured the public that the attacks have not impacted his ministry but stated that he is closely monitoring JAXA’s ongoing investigation. As part of the investigation, a portion of the affected JAXA network was temporarily shut down.

JAXA, which develops and launches satellites and is involved in advanced missions like asteroid exploration and potential lunar human exploration, has faced multiple cyber incidents since 2016. That year, it was among 200 Japanese companies and research institutes allegedly targeted by Chinese-speaking military hackers. Last year, unknown hackers also attempted to breach JAXA’s network server but failed to access information critical to the operation of rockets and satellites.

In February 2024, Japan’s cyber official Kazutaka Nakamizo highlighted the increasing cyber threats to the country’s critical infrastructure, particularly from China. However, he did not specify which attacks were believed to be linked to Beijing.

Biden administration bans Kaspersky software sales and sanctions the company’s executives

The Biden administration is set to ban the sale of Kaspersky’s products in the US, citing national security concerns over the firm’s ties to the Russian government. The ban is aimed at mitigating the risks of Russian cyberattacks, as the renowned software’s privileged access to computer systems could allow it to steal sensitive information or install malware. The new rule, which leverages powers created during the Trump administration, will also add Kaspersky to a trade restriction list, barring US suppliers from selling to the company.

These restrictions, effective from 29 September, will halt new US business for Kaspersky 30 days after the announcement and prohibit downloads, resales, and licensing of the product. The decision follows a long history of regulatory scrutiny, including a 2017 Department of Homeland Security ban on Kaspersky products from federal networks due to alleged ties with Russian intelligence. Efforts by Kaspersky to propose mitigating measures were deemed insufficient to address these risks.

Furthermore, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned twelve executives and senior leaders from Kaspersky on Friday, marking another punitive measure against the cybersecurity company. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted the company’s chief operating officer, top legal counsel, head of human resources, and leader of research and development, among others. However, the company itself, its parent and subsidiary companies, and its CEO, Eugene Kaspersky, were not sanctioned.

This action follows a final determination by the Commerce Department to ban the Moscow-based company from operating in the U.S., citing national security risks and concerns about threats to critical infrastructure.

Why does it matter?

Another reaction from the authorities stresses the administration’s strategy to counter potential cyber threats amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. And while the impact of the entity blacklisting on Kaspersky’s operations remains to be seen, it appears now that it could significantly affect the company’s supply chain and reputation. Kaspersky, which operates in over 200 countries, has previously denied all accusations and, in response to these restrictive measures, has been operating a networks of Transparency Centers under its Global Transparency Initiative (GTI) where the company provides its source code for an external examination.

Philippine Maritime Authority hit by system breach

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in Philippines, a government agency responsible for integrating the development, promotion, and regulation of the maritime industry in the country, acknowledged on Monday that its online platforms encountered a security breach during the weekend. The breach impacted four of MARINA’s systems, prompting an immediate response from the agency to ensure the security of its data.

Upon detecting the attack, MARINA swiftly deployed personnel to its central office in Manila’s Port Area on Sunday. The agency highlighted its quick actions in implementing protective measures. Presently, MARINA’s IT team is working in conjunction with the Department of Information and Communications Technology-Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (DICT-CICC) to probe the breach and mitigate potential risks to sensitive information.

While MARINA did not disclose the specific systems affected or the extent of the breach, these systems handle crucial data such as vessel registrations, seafarers’ information documents, and record books. As the regulatory body overseeing maritime activities, MARINA aims to have its systems fully operational by Tuesday to resume normal processing of applications.

This security incident adds to a string of cyberattacks targeting Philippine government entities. In May, the Philippine National Police (PNP) halted its online services following breaches that impacted its Logistics Data Information Management System and the Firearms and Explosives Office. Furthermore, in October 2023, a ransomware attack compromised the data of over 13 million members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

National Cyber Director stresses the need for unified cybersecurity requirements in the US

The head of the US Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), Harry Coker, has urged the US Congress to harmonise cross-sector baseline cybersecurity requirements in regulated industries, following years of federal and international guidance. Coker highlighted that the lack of regulatory harmonisation poses significant challenges to both cybersecurity outcomes and business competitiveness, as reported by organisations representing the majority of critical infrastructure sectors.

Harry Coker, a Navy veteran and former executive director of the NSA (2017-2019), was confirmed by the US Senate as ONCD director in December 2023, following the resignation of former ONCD Director Chris Inglis in February 2023.

In August 2023, the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) sought private sector input on the state of cybersecurity regulation. Feedback was received from 11 of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors, encompassing over 15,000 businesses, states, and other organizations in the US. The summary of these responses revealed several challenges, including the absence of reciprocity between state and federal regulators and international partners. Regulatory inconsistencies that create barriers to entry, especially for small and mid-sized businesses have also been mentioned among key issues for industry. Furthermore, organizations expressed confusion about which federal agencies are responsible for regulating the defence industrial base, noting that it is unclear which federal agency acts as the clearinghouse for cyber-related regulations and requirements.

In response to the feedback, Coker announced that ONCD has initiated new harmonisation projects, including a pilot reciprocity framework within a critical infrastructure subsector. The pilot project aims to provide valuable insights for designing a comprehensive cybersecurity regulatory approach. Coker emphasized the need for Congress’s assistance to bring all relevant government agencies together to develop a cross-sector framework for harmonisation and reciprocity of baseline cybersecurity requirements. ONCD has not yet provided further details about the pilot project or other ongoing initiatives aimed at driving regulatory harmonisation.

US lawmakers press Microsoft president on China links and cyber breaches

At Thursday’s House of Representatives Homeland Security panel, Microsoft President Brad Smith addressed tough questions about the tech giant’s security measures and connections to China. The scrutiny follows a significant breach last summer when China-linked hackers accessed 60,000 US State Department emails by infiltrating Microsoft’s systems. Additionally, earlier this year, Russia-linked cybercriminals spied on emails of Microsoft’s senior staff, further intensifying concerns.

Lawmakers criticised Microsoft for failing to prevent these cyberattacks, which exposed federal networks to significant risk. They highlighted a report by the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) that condemned Microsoft for lack of transparency regarding the China hack, labelling it preventable. Smith acknowledged the report’s findings and stated that Microsoft acted on most of its recommendations. He emphasised the growing threat posed by nations like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, which are increasingly sophisticated and aggressive in their cyberattacks.

During the hearing, Smith defended Microsoft’s role, saying that the US State Department’s discovery of the hack demonstrated the collaborative nature of cybersecurity. However, Congressman Bennie Thompson expressed dissatisfaction, stressing that Microsoft is responsible for detecting such breaches. Given its substantial investments there, panel members also inquired about Microsoft’s operations in China. Smith noted that the company earns around 1.5% of its revenue from China and is working to reduce its engineering presence in the country.

Despite facing significant criticism over the past year, some panel members, including Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, commended Smith for accepting responsibility. In response to the CSRB’s findings, Microsoft has pledged to prioritise security above all else, launching a new cybersecurity initiative in November to bolster its defences and ensure greater transparency moving forward.

Dutch authorities reveal extensive Chinese cyber-espionage operation

The Dutch military intelligence and security service (MIVD) has raised alarms over a global Chinese cyber-espionage campaign, that successfully targeted ‘a significant number of victims’, including Western governments, international organisations and the defense industry. The Netherlands’ National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provided the details of this operation in the warning sharing how state-sponsored hackers exploited a vulnerability in FortiGate devices for ‘at least two months before Fortinet announced the vulnerability.’

This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2022-42475, was leveraged during a ‘zero-day period’ to compromise around 14,000 devices in Netherlands. In particular, the warning says that the had successfully breached the internal computer network of the Dutch Ministry of Defence. After gaining access, the hackers deployed a remote access trojan (RAT) named COATHANGER to perform reconnaissance and exfiltrate user account information from the Active Directory server. It, however, remains unclear how many of these systems were infected with the COATHANGER malware. The MIVD warned that identifying and removing these infections is particularly challenging.

“The NCSC and the Dutch intelligence services therefore state that it is likely that the state actor still has access to systems of a significant number of victims,” the report cautioned, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by this extensive cyber-espionage campaign.

Ransomware attack disrupts major London hospitals

A ransomware attack on Synnovis, a pathology services provider, has severely disrupted major hospitals in London, including King’s College Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’, and the Royal Brompton. This incident has led to the cancellation and redirection of numerous medical procedures. The hospitals have declared a ‘critical incident’ due to the significant impact on services, notably affecting blood transfusions. Synnovis’ CEO, Mark Dollar, expressed deep regret for the inconvenience caused and assured efforts to minimise the disruption while maintaining communication with local NHS services.

Patients in various London boroughs, including Bexley, Greenwich, and Southwark, have been affected. Oliver Dowson, a 70-year-old patient at Royal Brompton, experienced a cancelled surgery and expressed frustration over repeated delays. NHS England’s London region acknowledged the significant impact on services and emphasised the importance of attending emergency care and appointments unless instructed otherwise. They are working with the National Cyber Security Centre to investigate the attack and keep the public informed.

Synnovis, a collaboration between SYNLAB UK & Ireland and several NHS trusts, prides itself on advanced pathology services but has fallen victim to this attack despite stringent cybersecurity measures. Deryck Mitchelson from Check Point highlighted the healthcare sector’s vulnerability to such attacks, given its vast repository of sensitive data. Recent cyber incidents in the UK, including a similar attack on NHS Dumfries and Galloway, underscore the persistent threat to healthcare services. Government agencies actively mitigate the current situation and support affected NHS organisations.

Microsoft faulted for preventable Chinese hack

A report released by the US Cyber Safety Review Board on Tuesday blamed Microsoft for a targeted Chinese hack on top government officials’ emails, deeming it ‘preventable’ due to cybersecurity lapses and lack of transparency. The breach, orchestrated by the Storm-0558 hacking group affiliated with China, originated from the compromise of a Microsoft engineer’s corporate account. Microsoft highlighted ongoing efforts to bolster security infrastructure and processes, pledging to review the report for further recommendations.

The board’s report outlined decisions by Microsoft that diminished enterprise security, risk management, and customer trust, prompting recommendations for comprehensive security reforms across all Microsoft products. Last year, the intrusion affected senior officials at the US State and Commerce departments, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, raising concerns about the theft of sensitive emails from prominent American figures.

Despite acknowledging the inevitability of cyberattacks from well-resourced adversaries, Microsoft emphasised its commitment to enhancing system defences and implementing robust security measures. The company highlighted ongoing efforts to fortify systems against cyber threats and enhance detection capabilities to fend off adversarial attacks. The incident underscores the persistent challenges posed by cyber threats and the imperative for technology companies to prioritise cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive data and operations against evolving threats.

UK launches National Protective Security Authority

The UK has established a new intelligence agency called the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) to ‘help businesses and organisations defend themselves against national security threats‘.

The new agency operates as part of MI5 and has absorbed the responsibilities of the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure, but with a broader remit. NPSA will work together with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and UK National Authority for Counter Eavesdropping (UK NACE) to build resilience to national security threats.

Overall, the agency will work to ‘provide expert advice, research, and development to support countering terrorism, countering state threats, and protecting the public’. Goals include protecting UK’s critical infrastructure, as well as the country’s economy and its science and technological advantage.