Why Media Companies Are Prime Targets for Cyberattacks in 2024
The media industry, a prominent public face, is increasingly under threat from cyber security attacks. Recently, The Guardian fell victim to a ransomware assault, exposing UK staff's personal data. This incident highlights the sector's vulnerability and the varied motivations behind these digital assaults.
Cyber security attacks on media entities are highly visible, even if their impact is minor or they fail. The Guardian's December 2022 incident is a stark reminder of this. The media industry, spanning film, television, radio, gaming, online, and print, is a tempting target for hacktivists seeking to broadcast messages and actors aiming for harm, notoriety, or financial gain.
Hackers have attempted to leak information to spoil upcoming releases, like films and video games. The industry's complex supply chain, with numerous external interactions, makes it uniquely vulnerable. News outlets, in particular, are frequent targets for politically motivated actors aiming to disrupt or compromise content. Financially motivated cyber-criminals also recognize the media's lucrative potential, with the surge in digital technologies driving increased cyber security attacks. NBCUniversal, for instance, faced a significant rise in credential-stuffing attacks in August 2020 due to increased online media usage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Guardian's ransomware attack underscores the media industry's cyber security challenges. With varied motivations behind these attacks and the industry's unique vulnerabilities, robust cyber defense capabilities are crucial. Media companies must strengthen their security measures to protect against financially motivated cyber-criminals and politically driven actors aiming to disrupt content and its distribution.
