In recent weeks, Krispy Kreme, the beloved doughnut chain, fell victim to a cyberattack, highlighting the ever-present threat of bad actors targeting organizations of all sizes. This breach serves as a stark reminder that no business is immune to cybersecurity threats. Whether you're a Fortune 500 company or a small startup, your organization is a potential target.
What Happened to Krispy Kreme?
While the exact details of the Krispy Kreme attack are still emerging, it appears that cybercriminals exploited vulnerabilities in the company’s systems to gain unauthorized access.
It’s impossible to say just how the breach began, but many cyberattacks begin with a single point of entry, often through weak security practices that any corporation, large or small, can be vulnerable to, like poor password management, unpatched software, or unsuspecting employees. Once inside, hackers can escalate their privileges, move laterally across the network, and exfiltrate data or disrupt operations. For Krispy Kreme, the breach could have led to a massive loss of customer data, intellectual property, or critical business systems.
Is Your Organization's Infrastructure Secure?
The Krispy Kreme incident is a major wake-up call to every organization. Your cybersecurity defenses need to be able to fend off such an attack, but are you actually sure they’re up to the task? If you’re uncertain, it might be time to take a closer look at your infrastructure and perform a thorough audit of your systems.
One of the most effective ways to identify potential weaknesses is through a penetration test (or "pen test"). This process simulates real-world attacks to evaluate your defenses and uncover vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. If you haven’t already conducted a penetration test for your organization, here are some of the key security concerns that a test can help identify.
Saved Passwords
It's common for users to save their passwords in their web browsers for convenience. However, this is a huge security risk, as attackers can easily extract saved credentials if they gain access to a user’s device. A penetration test can check for this practice and recommend more secure password management techniques, such as using password managers with encryption.
MFA Bypassing
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a valuable defense against unauthorized access, but it’s not foolproof. Attackers can bypass MFA if they capture authentication tokens or session IDs. A penetration test can check whether your organization’s MFA credentials, like M365 tokens, are at risk, and if attackers could bypass MFA with techniques like token theft.
Unknown Remote Access Software
Hackers often deploy remote access tools (RATs) to maintain access to compromised systems. These tools are frequently used to move laterally through networks or to exfiltrate data. Penetration testers can identify unauthorized remote access software running on systems, helping organizations remove any potential backdoors before they can be exploited.
Stored Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
Many organizations store sensitive data, such as PII (Social Security numbers, customer details, etc.), on their corporate network. If this data is not adequately protected or encrypted, it becomes a prime target for attackers. Penetration tests can assess how PII is handled across your infrastructure and identify weaknesses that could expose this data in the event of a breach.
Malicious Code
Cybercriminals often hide malicious code at the end of file paths to evade detection. When legitimate files are executed, they can unknowingly trigger malware that compromises the system. A penetration test can identify file path vulnerabilities and help mitigate the risk of such code injections.
Old Users
Inactive user accounts are often overlooked during routine security audits. However, these dormant accounts can become prime targets for attackers who may try to re-activate them to gain unauthorized access. Penetration testing can uncover these forgotten accounts and help you clean up unnecessary permissions or close off unused access points.
Why Penetration Testing Matters
A penetration test is a proactive approach to cybersecurity, offering an in-depth analysis of your organization's vulnerabilities. By identifying potential weaknesses before they’re exploited, you can strengthen your defenses and ensure that your sensitive data, systems, and employees are protected. If you haven’t had a penetration test conducted recently, consider scheduling one! It’s a small investment that can pay huge dividends by preventing an attack before it happens.
Krispy Kreme’s cyberattack serves as a valuable lesson in the need for robust cybersecurity. But it’s not just big corporations that need to worry. Every organization, regardless of its size, faces similar risks. To ensure your organization is prepared, it’s critical to evaluate your security infrastructure regularly, identify vulnerabilities, and take steps to mitigate risk. If you haven't already done so, now is the time to implement an audit or penetration test to uncover hidden security threats to help you proactively deal with your cybersecurity, so that you don’t have to clean up after an attack or breach! If you’re ready to take action, contact our team here at Progressive Computer Systems today for more information about cybersecurity and penetration testing.
