Businesses Lose Data in Office 365 Targeted Cyber Attacks

  • By Steven
  • Published: Jul 27, 2023
  • Last Updated: Jul 27, 2023

Office 365 Gets Hacked

Microsoft is a large tech company based in the United States with operations in many other parts of the world. The organization is best known for its computer operating systems and its Microsoft 365 suite of business applications. The company employs more than 220,000 individuals and is involved in the management of countless businesses around the world. With so much business data relying on the security of Microsoft products, it is upsetting to learn that Microsoft products are being targeted and exploited and that businesses are losing important data as a result. 

How Did the Attack Occur?

A hacker group that's believed to be based in China was caught on some Microsoft 365 cloud environments accessing confidential information. The hackers were eventually identified, and Microsoft, as well as additional security agencies, began responding to the threat, patching the issues, and enhancing security. We don't have information about the number of companies impacted by this attack, we only know that some businesses were compromised as a result of focused hacker efforts. The authorities and Microsoft believe this attack was meant to gather intelligence and that it was an espionage effort by Chinese companies. 

What Information Was Viewed or Stolen?

We don't have specific details about what data was taken in these Microsoft 365 cloud hacks. We only know that some businesses were targeted and that they lost information. It's unclear if the businesses will come forward and explain what data was involved. If any worker or employee data was involved in this cyber attack, the businesses would have to announce what information was stolen and create personalized letters for all the impacted parties, but we don't know if that's the case at the moment. 

How Did Microsoft Admit to the Breach?

Originally FCEB or the Federal Civilian Executive Branch detected unauthorized activity on Microsoft 365 cloud environments in June of 2023. The organization reported the issue to Microsoft as well as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Since the report, Microsoft has been enhancing security and making follow-up reports explaining the situation and how security is evolving to handle the focused attacks. 

What Will Become of the Stolen Information?

If Microsoft and the US Government are correct, the information stolen will be used for business purposes. The data may be used to gain an economic advantage or to edge out the market. There is no clear way to know how the data will be utilized without knowing what information was stolen. We suspect the attack could be costly for some of the companies involved, but we're still waiting to hear more about the impact it's had on these businesses or if personal or medical data was involved. 

What Should Affected Parties Do in the Aftermath of the Breach?

If your business was directly targeted in this attack, you should take immediate action to try and enhance your company's security and to minimize any damage done. Inform any employees or customers that may have lost information in this attack as well. If you receive a notice explaining your personal information was involved in one of these breaches, you should invest in credit monitoring services and consider freezing your credit to safeguard it from identity theft attacks.

About the Author
IDStrong Logo

Related Articles

Instagram Vulnerability Allowed Hackers Access to Control Your Phone

Security experts Check Point Research discovered a critical vulnerability while examining Instagra ... Read More

Alien Malware Infects More than 226 Mobile Apps and Steals Bank Data

As reported on September 24, 2020, by ZDNet and ThreatPost, a new strain of malware named “A ... Read More

Universal Health Systems Hit by Ransomware Attack

Universal Health Systems (UHS), a Fortune 500 company owning more than 400 hospitals across the co ... Read More

Exchange Server Bug Exposes a Big Risk to Hackers

Months after Microsoft released a patch to fix a serious flaw in MS Exchange Server, more than 61% ... Read More

Clients’ Bank Data Exposed in Blackbaud Ransomware Attack

Blackbaud software was victim to a ransomware attack last May, and new information suggests that c ... Read More

Latest Articles

What is a Time-based One-time Password (TOTP)?

What is a Time-based One-time Password (TOTP)?

Authentication is the process that verifies the user's identity to control access to resources, prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to the system, and record user activities (to hold them accountable for their activities).

Corporate Fraud: Detection, Prevention, and the Role of Corporate Fraud Attorneys

Corporate Fraud: Detection, Prevention, and the Role of Corporate Fraud Attorneys

The growing scale of organizations and the more opportunities to push the boundaries have led to an upsurge in corporate fraud in recent years.

Is Upwork Legit and How To Protect Yourself?

Is Upwork Legit and How To Protect Yourself?

Doing business online has become simpler with the development of the Internet and mobile technologies. In general, both freelancers and clients benefit from the freelancing platforms.

Featured Articles

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

Buying your own home is the American Dream, but it might seem out of reach to those with bad credit. However, the good news is, if your credit is less than perfect, you do still have options and in most cases, can still buy a home.

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

Any good IT article on computers and network security will address the importance of strong, secure passwords. However, the challenge of good passwords is that most people have a hard time remembering them, so they use simple or obvious ones that pose a security risk.

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Senior scams are becoming a major epidemic for two reasons. First, seniors often have a lot of money in the bank from a life of working hard and saving.

Notice

By proceeding with this scan, you agree to let IDStrong run a Free Scan of supplied parameters of your personal information and provide free preliminary findings in compliance with our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice. You consent to us using your provided information to complete the Free Scan and compare it against our records and breach databases or sources to provide your Free preliminary findings report.

Rest assured: IDStrong will not share your information with third parties or store your information beyond what is required to perform your scan and share your results.

Free Identity Threat Scan
Instantly Check if Your Personal Information is Exposed
All fields below are required
Please enter first name
Please enter last name
Please enter a city
Please select a state
Please enter an age
Please enter an email address
Close