VoIP Attack | More Cybersecurity Statistics | NASA Artemis Update
Article by Christopher Lauder, Delegate Relationship Executive, Rela8 Group
VoIP Attack
First up this week is the DDoS attack on VoIP providers which has been happening for the past four weeks. Comms Council UK issued a statement where they acknowledged that some of their members along with international providers had been targeted by a coordinated extortion campaign by cyber criminals.
“As our members supply telecoms services to critical infrastructure organisations including the Police, NHS and other public services, attacks on our members are attacks on the foundations of UK infrastructure. We are confident that, with a joined-up Government-led initiative, this damaging criminal activity can be halted”.
DDoS attacks are a common threat. Organisations are encouraged to take the steps necessary to mitigate these attacks and keep services running. The National Cyber Security Centre has published guidance which will help organisations to understand and mitigate these attacks.
- Source - VoIP Attack - NCSC
- Source - VoIP Attacks - Comms Council UK Statement
- Source - VoIP Attack - IT Pro
- Source - VoIP Attack - InfoSec Magazine
- Source - DDoS Guidance From NCSC
More Cybersecurity Statistics!
Earlier this year in a news update we discussed an article by Chuck Brooks as he discussed “Alarming Cybersecurity Stats: What You Need To Know For 2021”. As we approach the end of the year, Chuck has published a new article where he discusses more alarming statistics that we need to know.
1. Americans Are Waking Up To Cyberthreats.
A poll by the The Pearson Institute found that 9 in 10 Americans are at least somewhat concerned about hacking that involves their personal information, financial institutions, government agencies or utilities. Two-thirds say they are very or extremely concerned.
2. The Number of Data Breaches in 2021 Have Soared Past That Of 2020.
According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the number of data breaches that have been publicly reported this year has exceeded the total for 2020, which has put 2021 on track for a record year. 2021 is 238 breaches away from tying the record for a single year.
3. Ransomware!
The final point is that of ransomware. Brooks discussed how the firm Cybersecurity Ventures has estimated that ransomware costs are expected to reach $265 billion by 2031. They also predict that there will be a new attack every two seconds.
In a FinCEN report, they discuss how the H1 2021 figure for ransomware activities exceeded the value for the entirety of 2020, which was $416 million. The average amount of reported ransomware transactions per month in 2021 was $102.3 million.
In terms of individual ransomware payments, according to Palo Alto’s Unit 42, the average ransomware payment climbed by 82% to $570,000 in the first half of 2021, up from $312,000 in 2020.
Brooks further discusses how hackers have been targeting the supply chain and how these attacks have risen by 42% in the first quarter of 2021, how IOT has been a prime target for breaches, and cyber risks and risk management. Look at the full article by Brooks below:
Source - Chuck Brooks Article - Forbes
NASA Artemis Update
Finally, a bonus story that I have been waiting for… probably for far too long. NASA has announced that it is targeting February 2022 for the first lunar mission of the Artemis programme – Artemis 1. Though this will be unmanned, it is the first in a series of launches that will see humans return to the Moon by 2024.
This will be the first time that humans have been to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. Also, NASA has announced that the moonwalkers will include the first woman, and the first person of colour to walk on the lunar surface. Watch this SPACE for more information over the coming months.
Source - NASA Artemis Moon Mission - The Guardian
Source - NASA Artemis Moon Mission - CNET
Source - NASA Artemis Moon Mission - Gadgets 360
