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Scrape Timestamp (UTC): 2024-11-27 21:04:22.357
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/27/tmobile_cyberattack_victory_lap/
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T-Mobile US takes a victory lap after stopping cyberattacks: 'Other providers may be seeing different outcomes'. Funny what putting more effort and resources into IT security can do. Attackers - possibly China's Salt Typhoon cyber-espionage crew - compromised an unnamed wireline provider's network and used this access to try to break into T-Mobile US systems multiple times over the past few weeks, according to its Chief Security Officer Jeff Simon. Simon was among the telecom execs who met White House officials last week to discuss the recent spate of Chinese intrusions into telecoms networks. Today, the un-carrier's security boss took a victory lap around his fellow operators, and detailed how T-Mo thwarted the attacks from advancing and disrupting services. Salt Typhoon compromised "multiple" US telcos in its extensive snooping campaign, and this allegedly included Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies, although all three have thus far declined to comment. According to the Feds, the crew compromised systems used for performing communications wiretapping for law enforcement, and stole customers' call records, phone calls, and texts - including private communications between government officials - during this espionage endeavor. However, "this is not the case at T-Mobile," Simon said in a write-up. The attackers (T-Mob can't definitely attribute these to Salt Typhoon) did not access any sensitive customer data, such as calls, voicemail messages, and texts, he added. While the carrier did detect "attempts to infiltrate our systems by bad actors," according to Simon, "we quickly severed connectivity to the [wireline] provider's network as we believe it was – and may still be – compromised." T-Mobile US hasn't seen any previous attempts like this, and as of now, the miscreants appear to have been kicked out of the mobile carrier's network, we're told. "Simply put, our defenses worked as designed," Simon said. "Other providers may be seeing different outcomes." It's a welcome reverse course for T-Mo, which has had its security breached at least seven times since 2018. In September, the telco agreed to fork out $31.5 million to improve its cybersecurity and pay a civil penalty after a series of network intrusions affected tens of millions of customers. It would appear at least that the improved infosec program is already starting to pay off.
Daily Brief Summary
T-Mobile US detected attempts by the Chinese espionage group Salt Typhoon to infiltrate their systems, but successfully prevented any breach.
The same group has allegedly compromised multiple other US telecom firms, accessing sensitive information, including communications wiretap data used by law enforcement.
Other major telecoms possibly affected include Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies, none of whom have commented on the claims.
T-Mobile's security measures, enhanced following a $31.5 million settlement to improve cybersecurity, effectively protected customer data.
Chief Security Officer Jeff Simon confirmed that no sensitive customer data such as call records or texts were accessed during these attempts.
Simon reported these protection measures at a recent meeting with White House officials, discussing ongoing Chinese cyber-espionage.
T-Mobile previously faced numerous security breaches since 2018, highlighting the significance of this successful defense against the latest attacks.