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Kaspersky Lab helped Interpol prevent bank cyber-robbery
Hacking was uncovered when the attacker was trying to find accomplices to further proceed with the attack. Such a scenario, where different people are responsible for different stages of the attack, has become especially common recently. Some criminals hack organizations’ systems, others perform the attack, for example, encrypt and steal data, others demand a ransom and take care of the financial part of the crime.
Kaspersky Lab discovered the stolen data when it was offered as evidence of infiltration into the organization. The experts analyzed this information and found that the criminal was able to gain access to the entire infrastructure of the central bank of a Latin American country, including the system of international financial transfers.
To prevent any further actions by the attackers, the company promptly reported the incident to Interpol and the International Payment System. After a joint investigation, all vulnerabilities in the bank's corporate network were closed and opportunities for the attack were blocked.
“In recent years, we have seen many crypto attacks performed by such hybrid groups. However, previously the attacks were targeted at commercial companies, first and foremost. We are very pleased that, together with our partner Kaspersky Lab, we managed to prevent an attack that could have affected the country economy as a whole. It is only by working effectively and proactively at the international level that we can guarantee the protection of the entire community,” commented Stephen Kavanagh, Executive Director of the Interpol Police Service.
“We discovered that the attackers found a loophole that allowed them to gain access to the infrastructure of the central bank. In countering such attacks, international cooperation is essential, as well as the ability to act quickly. Therefore, as soon as we gathered information about possible actions of the attackers, we immediately notified Interpol. Well-coordinated and clear interaction made it possible to stop the actions of intruders before real damage was done to this organization, ”said Sergey Golovanov, chief expert at Kaspersky Lab.