Ubisoft, a prominent video game publisher based in France, recently announced that it successfully prevented a ransomware attack using its in-house threat monitoring software. However, the company is currently investigating a potential data breach that occurred simultaneously with the attack. The breach allowed an unidentified hacker group to release internal software information on VX-Underground. Interestingly, this data leak coincided with a security incident at another company, Insomniac, where game development details related to the Sony-affiliated company were disclosed without authorization.
Ubisoft, currently focused on developing the latest installment of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, revealed that this incident may have exposed more than 900GB of information. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. This is not the first time Ubisoft has faced cybersecurity challenges, as it fell victim to the Egregor Ransomware in 2020, resulting in the leakage of its source code. Additionally, a data leak caused by misconfiguration disrupted games, systems, and services in 2021-22. The consequences of the recent attack are still unfolding.
Cybercriminals have increasingly targeted companies during the holiday season when many Western businesses operate with reduced staff. Industries such as healthcare, finance, gaming, and manufacturing are particularly vulnerable during this period. Therefore, it has become crucial for companies to establish efficient backup plans to sustain operations during such incidents. Robust security measures, including data encryption at rest and in transit, maintaining multiple copies of backed-up data for recovery purposes, and deploying vigilant threat monitoring solutions for IT assets, are essential in mitigating the impact of cyber threats.
Key Points:
1. Ubisoft successfully prevented a ransomware attack using its in-house threat monitoring software, but a potential data breach is being investigated.
2. An unidentified hacker group exploited the breach and published internal software information on VX-Underground.
3. Insomniac, another company, experienced a security incident simultaneously, resulting in the unauthorized disclosure of game development details.
4. Ubisoft is currently assessing the extent of the damage, with over 900GB of information potentially exposed.
5. Cybercriminals often target companies during the holiday season, making it crucial for businesses to establish robust security measures and backup plans.