Tel Aviv. The Directorate of Security for the Defense Establishment, in cooperation with additional security institutions, has thwarted a cyber-attack targeting Israel’s leading defense industries.
Following an investigation of the case, it has been discovered that the attempted cyber-attack was conducted by an international cyber group called “Lazarus” – an organization that is backed by a foreign country.. Members of the group used various hacking techniques, including ‘social engineering’ and impersonation. They built fake profiles on LinkedIn, a social network that is used primarily for job searches in the high-tech sector.
The attackers impersonated managers, CEOs and leading officials in human resources departments, as well as representatives of international companies, and contacted employees of leading defense industries in Israel, with the aim of developing discussions and tempting them with various job opportunities.
In the process of sending the job offers, the attackers attempted to attack the computers of these employees, to infiltrate their networks and gather sensitive security information. The attackers also attempted to use the official websites of several companies in order to hack their systems.
The cyber-attacks were identified in real time, and thwarted by the Tech Unit under the Director of Security for Defense Establishment, in the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMoD) as well as the cyber defense systems employed by the defense industries. No harm or disruption was made to their networks.
The Directorate of Security has launched an investigation and operational activity together with the defense industries and other security bodies following this attempted breach.
According to the Israeli MoD, the Directorate of Security for the Defense Establishment will continue its work in thwarting attempts to breach the networks of Israeli defense industries, and any attempts to harm the technological capabilities and assets of the State of Israel.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
