vicesociety attacks Savannah State University
Incident Date:
January 9, 2022
Overview
Title
vicesociety attacks Savannah State University
Victim
Savannah State University
Attacker
Vicesociety
Location
First Reported
January 9, 2022
Savannah State University Suffers Ransomware Attack
Victim Profile
Savannah State University, a public historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia, has recently fallen victim to a ransomware attack by the group known as vicesociety. This incident was disclosed on the group's dark web leak site. As an institution operating within the Education sector, Savannah State University joins a growing list of educational entities that have been compromised by ransomware in 2022.
Size and Vulnerabilities
While the exact size of Savannah State University is not detailed, the ransomware attack indicates that vulnerabilities within the university's IT infrastructure were successfully exploited by attackers. Although specific vulnerabilities were not identified, it is plausible that the attackers leveraged known software or hardware vulnerabilities, or possibly employed social engineering tactics to infiltrate the university's systems.
Industry Standout
Savannah State University distinguishes itself through its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and serving the local community and the state of Georgia. The university's dedication to research and community engagement further sets it apart from other educational institutions in the sector.
Mitigation Strategies
While detailed mitigation strategies employed by Savannah State University in response to the ransomware attack are not provided, it is generally advisable for organizations within the Education sector to adopt comprehensive cybersecurity measures. These measures should include regular updates to software, cybersecurity awareness training for employees, and the implementation of multi-factor authentication to safeguard against ransomware threats.
The ransomware attack on Savannah State University underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity vigilance within educational institutions. Although the specific vulnerabilities exploited have not been disclosed, the sophistication of the threat actor involved in this attack serves as a stark reminder for organizations in the Education sector to fortify their cybersecurity defenses and remain alert to potential threats.
Sources
- Savannah State University
- BlackCat ransomware group claims attack on Florida International University - https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/blackcat-ransomware-claims-attack-on-florida-international-university/
- The State of Ransomware in 2022 - BlackFog - https://www.blackfog.com/the-state-of-ransomware-2022/
- Ransomware attack on leading Georgia art college leads to data leak - https://www.databreaches.net/ransomware-attack-on-leading-georgia-art-college-leads-to-data-leak/
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.