New PSA from FBI warns of N. Korea job infiltrations

1 day ago

2 min read

Just 2 days ago the FBI issued a public service announcement warning us of sophisticated tactics being using by North Korea to infiltrate our IT workforces here in America.

Now you might be thinking, "I don't hire IT employees - this doesn't concern me." But wait, does your business rely on outside IT contractors, remote technicians or third-party technology providers of any kind? Uh-oh, yep, we all do.

Once these criminals gain access to your company's systems, they can steal sensitive business information, compromise customer data and even demand ransom payments. Their increasingly sophisticated schemes demonstrate how criminals in far-off countries can exploit the trust businesses place in the people who manage and support our technology "to pay for nuclear weapons and other military programs, posing a significant threat to national security." (FBI)

The Takeaway

You don't need to be a nerd (like me) to protect your business from these kinds threats. Start by knowing who manages your computers, email and business systems, including outside IT companies and remote support technicians.

Make sure you know who is accessing your systems, why they need access, and whether that access is still necessary. Remember, even someone who appears to be a trusted technology professional could put your business at risk if their identity or intentions have not been properly verified.

In case you're wondering, here at Cypac we're all local. Either way, the FBI specifically emphasized verifying identities, controlling access and recognizing that criminals can disguise who is actually performing IT work. In short, trusting your IT provider is fine, but knowing who is actually accessing your systems is just as important.

Stay safe out there.

-Attila