Nation-State Hackers Breach Key US Telecom Firm: Ribbon Communications Suffers Year-Long Undetected Intrusion
Ribbon Communications, a vital U.S. telecom company, was breached by nation-state hackers and remained compromised for nearly a year, affecting some customers. The company, providing tech for voice and data communications, has reinforced its network. The breach is believed part of a wider cyberespionage campaign involving state-aligned actors.
Hackers associated with an unspecified nation-state breached the networks of Ribbon Communications, a key player in the U.S. telecommunications industry, and stayed undetected within the company's systems for almost a year, the firm confirmed on Wednesday.
This breach highlights a continuing trend wherein nation-state actors target essential tech firms like Ribbon, which play a significant role in the global telecommunications framework. While several 'smaller customers' were impacted, no government customers were reported affected, according to the company.
Experts like Pete Renals have noted the increasing vulnerability of IT and networking service providers to state-aligned cyber threats, aiming for long-term espionage goals. Ribbon's customer base includes major government and infrastructure organizations, making it an appealing target for such actors.
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