Russian intelligence says spyware detected in state networks

The Russian intelligence service has said that computer networks from 20 organisations, which include defence companies and state agencies, have been affected by a spyware attack. It claimed that it was a coordinated and targetted breach.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) said that the malware, along with how the networks have been infected, were not dissimilar to those employed in previous instances of online espionage discovered in Russia, as well as in other countries. The agency decided not to name any potential suspects.

The FSB said in its statement, which was published online:

“Information technology resources of government agencies, scientific and military institutions, defence industry companies and other entities involved in crucial infrastructure have been infected.”

The announcement by the FSB comes after news of online attacks against the U.S. Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the fundraising team for Democratic party candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. officials and cyber security professionals have both said that evidence existed to prove that Russia was behind the DNC hack to breach confidential party email communications to manipulate the presidential election in the U.S. Official denials have been made by the Kremlin.

Cyber crime at this level, and the influence that it potentially has on the public, is unsettling, but businesses are also victims of hacking and have seen confidential data breached, including sensitive customer information. These businesses would certainly be doing themselves a favour if they placed increased emphasis on their IT security recruitment strategy.