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Microsoft Report: Russia Launches Nearly 40 Cyberattacks vs Ukraine

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 2: The Microsoft logo is illuminated on a wall during a Microsoft launch event to introduce the new Microsoft Surface laptop and Windows 10 S operating system, May 2, 2017 in New York City. The Windows 10 S operating system is geared toward the education market and is Microsoft’s answer to Google’s Chrome OS. (P...

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 2: The Microsoft logo is illuminated on a wall during a Microsoft launch event to introduce the new Microsoft Surface laptop and Windows 10 S operating system, May 2, 2017 in New York City. The Windows 10 S operating system is geared toward the education market and is Microsoft’s answer to Google’s Chrome OS. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Russia cyberattacks appear to be "strongly correlated and sometimes directly timed with its kinetic military operations targeting services and institutions crucial for civilians" in the Ukraine, a new Microsoft report asserts.

The Microsoft report detailed, "relentless and destructive Russian cyberattacks we’ve observed in a hybrid war against Ukraine," and the software company also described the steps it is taking to help protect the Ukraine and its people.

Related: See all Cyberattack News Related to Russia's Invasion and War vs. Ukraine

How Alleged Russia Cyberattacks Impact Ukraine

According to Microsoft:

  • Russia launched nearly 40 cyberattacks targeting hundreds of systems;
  • 32% of destructive attacks directly targeted Ukrainian government organizations at the national, regional and city levels;
  • more than 40% of destructive attacks "were aimed at organizations in critical infrastructure sectors that could have negative second-order effects on the Ukrainian government, military, economy and civilians."

    • Microsoft's report attributes wiper malware attacks to a Russian nation-state actor that the software company calls Iridium.

    Alleged Russia Cyberattacks: Security Advice for MSSPs and MSPs

    Digital fallout from the Russia's cyber and kinetic war vs. Ukraine essentially extends worldwide. MSSPs and MSPs seeking to navigate and mitigate the associated risks shoud:

    1. Closely track CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) alerts and updates, especially as they pertain to infrastructure security worldwide.
    2. Check MSSP Alert's Russia-Ukraine war timeline, which is updated regularly with cyberattack and cyber defense information tied to the conflict.
      3. Joe Panettieri

      Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.

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