Accusing Fancy Bear: France's Cybersecurity Agency Points Finger at Russian Hackers
Hackers reportedly attempted to infiltrate the Olympics, according to France's announcement.
In a bombshell report released yesterday, France's cybersecurity agency, ANSSI, accuses the Russian hacking group Fancy Bear, or APT28, of carrying out a three-year series of cyberattacks. The alleged targets include the Paris Olympics, French government agencies, and multiple companies.
The hacking is said to have aimed at gathering intelligence, primarily in relation to Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As France stands amongst Ukraine's staunchest advocates, and seeks to safeguard the shared security of Europe, these cyberattacks pose a significant threat.
The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs declared that the hacking was linked to the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency. Specific entities under attack included a sports organization instrumental in planning the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. However, the ministry chose not to disclose the organization's identity or the extent of the cyber intrusion.
Besides sports organizations, other targeted sectors have been aerospace, finance, national ministries, and local governments, although the ANSSI did not reveal their identities.
Over a dozen reports in 2023 and the following year pointed to a heightened Russian effort to sow disinformation, particularly in connection to the Paris Olympics. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and state-sponsored doping have led to years of curtailing Russian athlete participation in the Olympics.
Rebutting these allegations, the Russian embassy in France and the Kremlin unanimously denied any interference in the Paris Olympics. Despite this, Google Threat Intelligence Group Chief Analyst John Holquist warned of the anticipated targeting of the Games by the GRU, despite their symbolizing international cooperation.
According to the French ministry, a specific GRU unit, Unit 20728, is responsible for the cyberattacks from 2021 to the year prior. The ANSSI report further mentioned unspecified attacks on entities in Ukraine, other European nations, and North America.
Fancy Bear, or APT28, is a well-known Russian state-sponsored hacking group affiliated with the GRU. Known for cyberespionage, phishing campaigns, and exploiting vulnerabilities to target governments, militaries, and critical infrastructure worldwide, their actions are deemed unacceptable and inappropriate for a UN Security Council member. Together with its partners, France remains committed to countering Russian cyber threats.
- France's cybersecurity agency, ANSSI, claims that Russian hacking group Fancy Bear, or APT28, had targeted entities related to the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs has linked these cyberattacks to Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU.
- As per the French ministry, the specific GRU unit, Unit 20728, is responsible for the cyberattacks from 2021 to the year prior.
- In 2024, the cybersecurity technology will be of utmost importance to protect the Paris Olympics from potential Russian cyber threats.
