Russia still has access to US networks after SolarWinds hack: Report

Web Desk

26th Apr, 2021. 11:00 am
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Russia's success with the SolarWinds hack is not supposed to have ended just because US agencies and companies have strengthened their defenses. The Russian intelligence agency SVR "probably" still has access to US networks, despite efforts to close operations. The attackers are still "very active," a contact said. The continued presence on American networks is consistent with the story. Russia continued to launch cyberattacks against the U.S. after the Obama administration imposed sanctions in late 2016, targeting politicians and other systems during the interim period of 2018 and beyond. Even if the US has successfully removed Russia from government systems, there is a good chance that it will find another security breach.

Russia’s alleged success with the SolarWinds hack might not have ended just because US agencies and companies have bolstered their defenses.

Media reports said that an investigation has claimed about Russia’s SVR intelligence agency “likely” still has access to American networks despite efforts to close exploits.

The attackers are still “very much out there,” one contact said.

A continued presence in American networks is consistent with history. Russia continued to mount cyberattacks against the US after the Obama administration imposed sanctions in late 2016, targeting politicians and other systems during the 2018 midterms and beyond.

Even if the US successfully dislodged Russia from government systems, there was a good chance it would find another security hole.

If the report is accurate, though, it illustrates just how difficult it may be to secure a lasting victory against state-sponsored cyberattacks. Even the large-scale response to a campaign like the SolarWinds hack apparently wasn’t enough to dislodge the intruders. The US might not get a reprieve for a long, long time to come.