On Sunday, October 24, the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) reported that they detected activity associated with NOBELIUM, the Russian nation-state actor behind cyberattacks targeting SolarWinds customers in 2020. Per the report, NOBELIUM was attempting to gain access to downstream customers of multiple cloud service providers, managed service providers, and other IT services organizations.
Microsoft believes that NOBELIUM is seeking to “piggyback on any direct access that resellers may have to their customers’ IT systems and more easily impersonate an organization’s trusted technology partner to gain access to their downstream customers.”
As a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider, Core BTS remains committed to our client’s business and IT security. Here is what you need to know:
- This targeted NOBELIUM activity has been observed against organizations based in the United States and across Europe since May 2021.
- Microsoft continues to observe, monitor, and notify impacted customers and partners through their nation-state notification process.
- Microsoft has released technical guidance that can help organizations protect themselves against the latest Nobelium activity.
Core BTS has not been affected by this targeted activity. That said, Core BTS is ensuring that all possible actions are being taken to help mitigate potential threat activity. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Verifying compliance with Microsoft Partner Center security requirements
- Removing delegated administrative privileges connections when not in use
- Using best practices and tools to manage, monitor, detect, and respond to malicious activity
- Taking a holistic approach to security via our Secure by Design program
We strongly encourage all of our clients to review and apply the technical guidance released by Microsoft as soon as possible. If you need help implementing risk mitigations, hardening your environment, or investigating suspicious behavior, our team is standing by to help. We are passionate about helping you minimize organizational risk through the implementation of holistic solutions.
