Cisco Data Breach and UK Government's Free Cybersecurity Initiative for Schools

Cisco Data Breach by IntelBroker

A prominent threat actor known as IntelBroker has claimed responsibility for breaching Cisco’s computer network and is preparing to release stolen data on a well-known hacker forum.

Reports indicate that a cyberattack occurred on Cisco’s servers in June, and following what appears to be a lack of response from the company, the attackers—who formed a trio including Zjj, Energy Weapon Users, and IntelBroker—are now looking to sell the compromised information on the dark web.

The stolen data is particularly concerning, as it reportedly includes sensitive research and development information. The hackers are attempting to sell this data at a high price, labeling it with tags that denote its sensitivity. Sources from Cybersecurity Insiders reveal that the compromised information encompasses Jira tickets, API tokens, AWS cloud data stored in private buckets, Cisco Tech SRCs, Docker builds, Azure storage metadata, private and public keys, SSL certificates, SonarQube project data, and login credentials for GitLab and GitHub.

Cisco has acknowledged the situation, stating it is actively investigating IntelBroker’s claims and is aware of sample data being circulated on the dark web.

UK Government Offering Free Cybersecurity to Schools

In light of increasing cyber threats, particularly against educational institutions, the UK government is launching a free cybersecurity initiative aimed at safeguarding school websites and IT infrastructure.

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting schools, as student data is highly lucrative on the dark web. Ransom demands can put educational institutions in difficult positions, leading to a rise in cyberattacks.

To combat this trend, the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), in collaboration with the UK government, has announced a new initiative under the Protective Domain Name System (PDNS) program, which will provide free cybersecurity services to schools and educational institutions.

This program, announced on October 15, will soon extend to a variety of educational establishments, including academies, private schools, and internet service providers serving these institutions. The initiative aims to enhance defenses against spyware, malware, and ransomware attacks.

The urgency of this program follows a report from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), which revealed that over a quarter of schools and colleges in England were targeted by cyberattacks in 2023, with threats expected to escalate further this year.

We hope the PDNS achieves its intended goals effectively!