Major cyber security firm hacked

An esteemed digital security company has become a victim of cybercrime, with huge volumes of sensitive data leaked online.

Hacking Team, based in Italy, specialises in offensive digital services and surveillance technology, which enables national agencies to receive communications intended for  the public. However, a leak of documents, totalling to around 400GB, reportedly revealed that the company was engaged in sales transactions with repressive regimes.

It has been alleged that the cache had been uploaded via the company’s Twitter account by an anonymous group, which shows email communications with numerous clients. These are said to have included the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police.

It was not made clear whether security services from the UK were Hacking Team customers or not, or if the firm was providing investigators with help elsewhere. A spokesman representing Privacy International, a UK charity, said:

“The leak of materials reportedly shows how Hacking Team assisted some of the world’s most repressive regimes – from Bahrain to Uzbekistan, Ethiopia to Sudan – to spy on their citizens. Surveillance companies like Hacking Team have shown they are incapable of responsibly regulating themselves, putting profit over ethics, time after time.”

With the digital security company having been compromised by the cyberattack, it was said by some commentators to exemplify how far hackers have come with regards to technology and intelligence. Following the ever increasing importance of preventing intrusions, making cyber security jobs available to trained professionals can be a great way of securing data.