Recently, Halliburton, a major player in the oilfield services industry, faced a damaging cyberattack that not only disrupted its operations but also resulted in unauthorized access to and removal of data from its systems. This incident serves as a wake-up call for organizations to bolster their defenses against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Inside the Halliburton Cyberattack: What Happened?
On August 21, 2024, Halliburton experienced a cyberattack that significantly impacted its business operations, particularly at its north Houston campus, and disrupted some of its global connectivity networks. According to a recent update from Halliburton, an unauthorized third party accessed and removed data from its systems during the attack. While the company is still evaluating the nature and scope of the information that was compromised, it has stated that the incident is not expected to have a material impact on the business.
Halliburton’s response included activating its cybersecurity response plan and launching an investigation with the help of external advisors to assess and remediate the unauthorized activity. The company’s swift action to contain the breach and limit further damage underscores the importance of having a robust incident response plan in place.
The Playbook of Cybercriminals: Common Tactics Used Against Companies
Companies in sectors like energy, healthcare and finance are high-value targets for cybercriminals. Here are some of the most common tactics used to exploit these organizations:
