Ransomware Attack on Silverstone University Technical College
Incident Date:
May 16, 2024
Overview
Title
Ransomware Attack on Silverstone University Technical College
Victim
Silverstone UTC
Attacker
Lockbit3
Location
First Reported
May 16, 2024
Ransomware Attack on Silverstone University Technical College
Victim Overview
Silverstone University Technical College, located in Silverstone, Northamptonshire, UK, is a specialized institution offering technical education and training in engineering, motorsport, and digital technologies to students aged 14-19. The college, with approximately 465 students, is known for its focus on high-performance engineering and business with events management, providing hands-on experience and industry-recognized qualifications.
Attack Overview
The LockBit 3.0 ransomware group targeted Silverstone University Technical College's website, compromising their systems and data. LockBit 3.0 is a highly advanced and dangerous ransomware variant known for encrypting files, modifying filenames, changing desktop wallpapers, and dropping ransom notes on victims' desktops. The ransomware is designed to be evasive and difficult to analyze, making it a significant threat to organizations.
Ransomware Group Profile
LockBit 3.0, also known as LockBit Black, is a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) group that has evolved from previous LockBit versions. The group operates under an affiliate-based ransomware approach, targeting businesses and critical infrastructure organizations globally. LockBit 3.0 distinguishes itself with enhanced infection capacities, customization options, and the ability to move laterally through networks, making it a formidable threat in the cybersecurity landscape.
Company Vulnerabilities
Silverstone University Technical College's unique focus on high-performance engineering and business with events management, coupled with its location at the Silverstone Circuit, may have made it an attractive target for threat actors like LockBit 3.0. The college's connections with leading companies in the motorsport industry and its access to state-of-the-art facilities could have exposed it to cyber threats seeking to exploit its industry partnerships and technical infrastructure.
Sources
Recent Ransomware Attacks
The Recent Ransomware Attacks (RRA) site acts as a watchtower, providing you with near real-time ransomware tracking of attacks, groups and their victims. Given threat actors’ overarching, lucrative success so far, ransomware attacks have become the most ubiquitous, and financially and informationally impactful cyber threat to businesses and organizations today.
The site’s data is generated based on hosting choices of real-world threat actors, and a handful of other trackers. While sanitization efforts have been taken, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of the data. Attack updates will be made as source data is reported by reputable sources. By viewing, accessing, or using RRA you acknowledge you are doing so at your own risk.