Government data exposed after software cyber attack

Anglo-German firm Gamma International has suffered from a cyber attack, resulting in a leak of hundreds of documents. The manufacturer and retailer of the  FinFisher spyware range serves police agencies and governments in Europe, America and the Asia Pacific.

An unidentified hacker claimed on the firm’s Twitter and Reddit accounts that they had accessed the firm’s network. Those responsible posted torrent links on Dropbox that contained client records, source code, price lists, support manuals, names of tutorials and classes, and the proficiency of the software.

Posting on Reddit, the hacker said:

“Basically it’s a European company that sells computer hacking and spying software to governments and police agencies.

“Two years ago their software was found being widely used by governments in the Middle East, especially Bahrain, to hack and spy on the computers and phones of journalists and dissidents.”

Denying that this is the case, Gamma Group – which makes the software – explained that it only deals with ethical governments, and any authoritarian regimes in possession of the software have obtained it illegally.

Gamma International, part of the Gamma Group, chose not to confirm one way or another whether the documents are legitimate or if a breach has taken place.

A data breach is a significant loss in any business of any size, and precautions are now, more than ever, crucial for a firm to retain customer loyalty. The best way to maintain the integrity of data is by prioritising IT security recruitment, and employing personnel with experience and skills in the protection of data.