Investigative Post uncovers details of Buffalo News hacking incident
The Buffalo News, part of a group of 75 newspapers owned by Lee Enterprises, fell victim to a cyber attack by Russian hackers. Lee Enterprises, in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, disclosed the severity and lasting impact of the attack that disrupted operations throughout the chain of newspapers. The attack, orchestrated by Russian hackers identified as Qilin, unfolded on February 3rd, resulting in the theft of 350 gigabytes of data, encryption of additional files, and a demand for ransom.
The stolen data encompassed a wide range of sensitive information, including investor records, questionable financial dealings, payments to journalists and publishers, funding for custom news stories, and strategies for obtaining privileged information, as detailed by Security Week. As a consequence of the cyber attack, The Buffalo News and other associated newspapers encountered substantial obstacles in producing both print and digital editions, as well as delivering customer service to their subscribers. The print edition of The News faced significant downsizing, with a reduction to only two slim sections from Monday to Saturday, amidst extreme difficulty in contacting customer service. Undoubtedly, the cyber attack posed unparalleled challenges and likely turned into a nightmare for Editor Margaret Kinny Giancola and her dedicated staff.
Russian hackers, according to reports, issued a threat to expose sensitive information if their demands remained unmet by the Wednesday following the cyber attack. However, it appears that the hackers have not taken any concrete actions except for sharing a few excerpts of the pilfered data. In response to the alarming situation, Lee Enterprises indicated in a recent SEC filing that they have been working to contain the threat. The potential magnitude of the breach and the impending release of sensitive data undoubtedly intensified the gravity of the situation.
The cyber attack threw Lee Enterprises, and its subsidiary newspapers into a state of turmoil, requiring an urgent, coordinated effort to mitigate the fallout and address the underlying vulnerabilities. This unprecedented breach underscores the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures across the media industry to safeguard against future attacks. The Buffalo News and its counterparts across the Lee Enterprises chain will need to undergo a comprehensive review of their security protocols and digital infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the aftermath of the cyber attack unfolds, the cooperative efforts of the affected newspapers, including The Buffalo News, are required to swiftly restore operations, secure sensitive data, and fortify their defenses against potential cyber threats. The unfolding situation calls for heightened vigilance and precautionary measures to protect the integrity of the media industry and uphold the trust of readers and subscribers across the affected newspapers.