KADOKAWA is bracing for further cyberattacks from the Russian hacker group Black Suit after failed negotiation talks to resolve previous large-scale cyberattack.
Black Suit, which specializes in ransomware attacks, has threatened to strike again after the company refused to pay an $8 million (approximately 1.1 billion yen) ransom.
In the latest update, the hackers revealed to Kyodo News that negotiations with the company have failed.
“We demanded $8 million, but KADOKAWA did not comply,” Black Suit said, warning that the company “will face the same problem repeatedly” as they continue to have access to KADOKAWA’s systems.
Security expert Katsuji Okamoto of Trend Micro weighed in on the situation, emphasizing that the threat should not be taken lightly.
“Even if it’s a bluff, KADOKAWA must re-evaluate its systems and prepare for worst-case scenarios. Black Suit is notorious for its persistence and thoroughness, carrying out attacks from start to finish without external assistance.”
KADOKAWA has, however, refrained from commenting on the specifics of the situation, citing an ongoing police investigation.
“This is a matter under police investigation, and we cannot comment,” a spokesperson for the company stated.
Kadokawa first acknowledged the cyberattack in early June, reporting disruptions to multiple websites and services. The company has since provided regular updates on its efforts to restore systems and investigate the incident.
BlackSuit’s reported statement on June 27, 2024, revealed the full extent of the breach, alleging the theft of 1.5 terabytes of sensitive information, including business plans, user data, contracts, and financial records.
BlackSuit claimed to have exploited vulnerabilities in Kadokawa’s network architecture, gaining access to a “control center” that allowed them to encrypt the entire network, affecting various subsidiaries, including Dwango and NicoNico.
They had threatened to release stolen data if a ransom was not paid by July 1, 2024.
As of Aug 5, KADOKAWA confirmed a data leak affecting 254,241 individuals, according to an investigation by third-party experts.
Source: Kyodo News