What is the Solarwinds Hacking Incident?
The Solarwinds Hacking Incident is one of the most significant cybersecurity breaches in recent history. Allegedly carried out by the Russian hacking group Cozy Bear (APT29), the attack targeted U.S. government agencies and major private organizations worldwide. Microsoft, itself a victim, helped identify and publicize the breach. At Turbo IT Solutions, we emphasize studying such high-profile attacks to help businesses understand evolving cyber threats.
Beginning in March 2020, hackers infiltrated systems belonging to critical U.S. institutions, including the Treasury and Commerce Departments. By compromising SolarWinds—a company known for its Orion IT monitoring platform—the attackers inserted malicious code into software updates, which were then unknowingly distributed to thousands of clients. This method, known as a supply-chain attack, amplified the reach and impact of the Solarwinds Hacking Incident.
Why the Solarwinds Hacking Incident Matters
The attack was far-reaching, affecting organizations such as the Pentagon, all branches of the U.S. Military, the State Department, and hundreds of global enterprises including the top U.S. telecom firms and accounting firms. Although SolarWinds removed public reference to its high-profile clientele, the scale of the breach was undeniable. The Solarwinds Hacking Incident also compromised FireEye, a major cybersecurity firm, highlighting the seriousness of the threat—even among those tasked with defending others.
At Turbo IT Solutions, we use insights from incidents like this to build stronger defenses for our clients, from small businesses to enterprise-level networks.
How Did the Solarwinds Hacking Incident Happen?
Microsoft publicly disclosed the Solarwinds Hacking Incident on December 17, 2020, shedding light on a breach that shook the IT industry. Hackers infiltrated SolarWinds’ software development environment and inserted malware into legitimate Orion software updates. These trojanized updates were then downloaded by customers, granting attackers widespread access without detection—a textbook example of a supply-chain attack.
This incident has served as a wake-up call across the industry. It underscores the importance of securing every layer of the IT environment, from software development to endpoint deployment. At Turbo IT Solutions, we help businesses assess their supply-chain risks, harden their systems, and stay informed on threat intelligence to prevent similar breaches.
Which countries have been affected by Solarwinds hacking
On December 17th 2020, Brad Smith, Chief Legal Officer of Microsoft, stated that “While roughly 80% of these customers are located in the United States, this work so far has also identified victims in seven additional countries. This includes Canada and Mexico in North America; Belgium, Spain and the United Kingdom in Europe; and Israel and the UAE in the Middle East. It is certain that the number and location of victims will keep growing.”. The world map created by Microsoft shows that the cyberattack victims are found in Brazil, Australia, South Korea, India, Japan, and Mongolia.
Microsoft also clarified that there is no damage to customers since the malicious code could not reach a system directly related to the product. This cyberattack incident was informed by FireEye, a Cybersecurity company in the United States as well as a victim of the incident.
Tips to enhance your company’s cybersecurity
Today, a cyber-attack threat keeps increasing due to the increase of remote work. Hacker tries to pull important data from you through massive amount of methods. How can we reinforce our cybersecurity?
Listed below are 7 helpful tips for both employers and employees to help prevent cyber-attacks
- Avoid pop-ups, unknown emails, and links
- Use strong password protection and multifactor authentication
- Connect to secure Wi-Fi
- Use VPN if you are using a public Wi-Fi network
- Report anything suspicious you see to help prevent others from falling for the scam. This way, you can help protect the entire organization.
- Invest in security systems
- Embrace education and training
Cyber attacks can happen to any company, no matter the size or the type of industry you operate. However, there are tips you can adopt to enhance your company’s cybersecurity.
You must secure your company’s internet connections by encrypting information. A portable hotspot safeguards your Wi-Fi network. It also hides your network name, known as the Service Set Identifier (SSID), by preventing it from being broadcasted.
Also, consider implementing multifactor authentication for added security. It requires more than just a single password to access your computer networks.
Train your staff to stay informed about current scams. Also, ensure they take courses related to cybersecurity..
Additionally, deploy a trusted virtual private network (VPN) for secure access. It allows your staff to access corporate applications and assets without jeopardizing network security.
Finally, make sure your company’s IT team keeps operating systems and applications updated. Regular patching is vital for maintaining security.
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