US cyber agency CISA says malicious hackers are ‘taking advantage’ of CrowdStrike outage

US Cyber Agency CISA Warns of Malicious Hackers Exploiting CrowdStrike Outage

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a warning to organizations using CrowdStrike, a popular cybersecurity platform, that malicious hackers are taking advantage of a current outage affecting the service. While CISA has confirmed that the outage was not caused by a cyberattack, they urge caution and vigilance in light of the situation.

The CrowdStrike outage, which began on Wednesday, has left many organizations unable to access their systems and data, causing disruptions and inconvenience. In response, CISA has advised organizations to remain alert and take necessary precautions to protect their systems and data from potential exploitation by malicious actors.

“We are aware of reports of a CrowdStrike outage and urge organizations using the platform to exercise caution and take steps to protect their systems and data,” said CISA Director, Christopher Krebs. “While we have confirmed that the outage was not caused by a cyberattack, we understand that malicious hackers may attempt to exploit the situation. We urge organizations to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to prevent any potential threats.”

CISA has recommended that organizations using CrowdStrike take the following precautions:

1. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security to their systems.
2. Use strong passwords and ensure they are regularly changed.
3. Keep software and systems up-to-date with the latest security patches.
4. Monitor systems and networks for suspicious activity.
5. Implement a robust incident response plan in case of a security breach.

CrowdStrike has confirmed that the outage was caused by an issue with their cloud infrastructure provider, which has resulted in service disruptions for many of their customers. The company has assured that they are working closely with their provider to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and that they have implemented additional security measures to protect their customers’ data.

Despite this assurance, CISA remains cautious and urges organizations to remain vigilant in light of the situation. “We understand that the outage was not caused by a cyberattack, but we cannot let our guard down,” said Krebs. “Malicious hackers may attempt to exploit the situation, and it’s crucial that we take necessary measures to protect our systems and data.”

The warning from CISA highlights the importance of being prepared for unexpected disruptions and taking proactive measures to protect against potential threats. As cyberattacks continue to evolve in sophistication and frequency, it’s essential that organizations remain vigilant and take necessary steps to safeguard their systems and data.

In conclusion, while the CrowdStrike outage may not have been caused by a cyberattack, it serves as a reminder of the importance of being prepared for unexpected disruptions and taking proactive measures to protect against potential threats. CISA’s warning highlights the need for organizations to remain vigilant and take necessary steps to safeguard their systems and data, especially in light of the current cyber threat landscape.