This Cybersecurity Threat Advisory looks at a threat actor who is targeting various private sector entities in Israel. Read the recommendations below to implement a layered security approach to protect against these cyberattacks.
What is the threat?
Microsoft has unveiled a series of cyberattacks targeting Israeli private sector entities in the energy, defense, and telecommunications sectors. The source of these attacks has been traced back to a threat actor based in Gaza, identified as ‘Storm-1133.’
Why is it noteworthy?
Storm-1133 is conducting cyberattacks on private sector entities in Israel, including energy, defense, and telecommunications firms. These attacks appear to be part of the group’s efforts to support Hamas, a Sunni militant organization that effectively governs the Gaza Strip. Microsoft’s researchers have reported that Storm-1133 is actively engaged in cyber warfare to further Hamas’s interests, primarily targeting organizations perceived as hostile to Hamas.
What is the exposure or risk?
The cyber warfare activities carried out by the group Storm-1133 in support of Hamas against organizations in Israel’s private sectors raise concerns about the potential for similar cyberthreats targeting organizations worldwide. These attacks can serve as a precedent for other threat actors to target organizations perceived as adversaries or for political or ideological reasons, emphasizing the global importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect against such risks.
What are the recommendations?
Barracuda MSP highly recommends implementing a layered security approach to prevent and protect against malware and phishing campaigns, such as:
- Regular updates and patching: Keep all software, operating systems, and applications up to date with the latest security patches to mitigate vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit.
- Employee training: Conduct cybersecurity awareness training for employees to help them recognize phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics used by hackers.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA to add an additional layer of security to user accounts and systems.
- Incident response plan: Develop and regularly test an incident response plan to swiftly address and mitigate the impact of cyberattacks.
- Supply chain security: Assess and improve the security of your supply chain to reduce vulnerabilities that may arise from third-party relationships.
- Encryption: Implement strong encryption protocols to protect sensitive data both at rest and in transit.
- Geopolitical risk analysis: Keep an eye on geopolitical tensions and assess how they might impact your organization’s security posture.
- Backup and recovery: Regularly back up critical data and ensure the ability to restore systems in the event of a cyber incident.
- Compliance and regulations: Stay informed about relevant cybersecurity regulations and ensure compliance with applicable laws.
- Security audits: Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities.
- Cyber insurance: Consider cyber insurance to mitigate financial losses in the event of a breach.
- Monitoring and analytics: Utilize security monitoring tools and analytics to detect and respond to threats in real-time.
- Adaptive security: Implement adaptive security measures that can adjust to evolving threats.
- Global threat awareness: Stay informed about global threat trends and emerging attack techniques to proactively adapt your security strategies.
References:
For more in-depth information about the recommendations, please visit the following links:
- https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/israeli-energy-and-defense-targets-hit-by-gaza-linked-cyberattacks
- Gaza-Linked Cyber Threat Actor Targets Israeli Energy and Defense Sectors (thehackernews.com)
If you have any questions about this Cybersecurity Threat Advisory, please contact our Security Operations Center.
