Article Summary
A Russian hacker group, Laundry Bear, targeted the Dutch police in a cyberattack last year, accessing work-related contact details of all Dutch police officers, according to Dutch intelligence agencies. The group is suspected of having ties to the Kremlin and is actively seeking sensitive data from EU and NATO countries, particularly information about military equipment purchases, production, and deliveries to Ukraine. The report sheds light on the group’s tactics and aims to help potential targets protect themselves.
What This Means for You
- Be vigilant: As a Dutch police officer or a worker in a Western government involved in military support for Ukraine, be aware of the heightened risk of cyberattacks and take precautions to secure your data and accounts.
- Stay informed: Keep up to date with the latest cybersecurity best practices, as highlighted in the report, to minimize the risk of falling victim to similar attacks in the future.
- Understand the broader trend: Cyberattacks by Russian-linked groups targeting military support for Ukraine are increasing, and organizations in other NATO countries may also be at risk. Ensure that your organization’s cybersecurity measures and protocols are up-to-date and robust enough to deter such attacks.
- Support the larger cause: By raising awareness of these targeted cyberattacks, you are contributing to a more secure digital landscape for all NATO countries supporting Ukraine’s war effort against Russian aggression.
Dutch intelligence agencies say Russian hackers stole police data in cyberattack
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A previously unknown Russian hacker group with suspected ties to the Kremlin was responsible for a
cyberattack last year on the Dutch police and has also targeted other Western nations that deliver military support to Ukraine, intelligence agencies announced Tuesday.
The agencies said in a report that the group, which they called Laundry Bear, is actively trying to steal sensitive data from European Union and NATO countries and is “extremely likely Russian state supported.”
“Laundry Bear is after information about the purchase and production of military equipment by Western governments and Western deliveries of weapons to Ukraine,” Vice Adm. Peter Reesink, director of the military intelligence agency MIVD, said in a statement.
There was no immediate comment from Moscow on the report.
The Netherlands has been a strong supporter of Ukraine’s war effort since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 and has given military equipment, including
F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv
.
The Russian hackers
broke into a police account
and accessed work-related contact details of all Dutch police officers in September last year, in a cyberattack that sent shockwaves through the force.
The Dutch intelligence agencies published a detailed analysis of methods used by the hacker group to break into computer networks and cloud services.
Erik Akerboom, chief of the domestic intelligence agency AIVD, said that outlining the group’s work means that “not only governments, but also manufacturers, suppliers and other
targets
can arm themselves against this form of espionage. This limits Laundry Bear’s chances of success and digital networks can be better protected.”
The attack discovered in the Netherlands is one of a growing number around the world.
Last week, the U.S. National Security Agency said that
hackers working for Russian military intelligence
targeted Western technology and logistics companies involved in shipping
assistance to Ukraine
.
And last month, the French government
accused a hacking group
linked to Russian military intelligence of cyberattacks over three years,
targeting the Paris Olympics
, French government agencies and companies.
People Also Ask About
- What is Laundry Bear, the Russian hacker group suspected of targeting the Dutch police?
- What information is Laundry Bear seeking from Western governments?
- Which countries are at risk of being targeted by Laundry Bear?
- How can organizations and governments protect themselves against Laundry Bear and similar cyber threats?
Expert Opinion
Cybersecurity threats, especially from state-sponsored actors, pose a growing risk to organizations and governments involved in geopolitical conflicts, as seen in the targeted cyberattacks against military support for Ukraine. It’s crucial to stay proactive in implementing robust cybersecurity measures, and to collaborate with international partners to share threat intelligence and enhance collective security.
Key Terms
- Laundry Bear
- Russian hacker group
- Cyberattack
- Dutch police
- Western military support for Ukraine
- Military equipment purchases, production, and deliveries
- Cybersecurity best practices
- State-sponsored cyber threats
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