United States-based networking equipment manufacturer Belden announced its data breach incident in a press release last Tuesday, November 24, 2020. According to Bleeping Computer, the cyber attack allowed threat actors to obtain files about its employees and business partners.
Belden is a networking equipment manufacturer and vendor in the United States. It specializes in providing network connectivity devices, said Bleeping Computer, such as firewalls, routers, cabling, connectors, and switches.
In 2019 alone, Bleeping Computer said the U.S.-based firm gained $2.5 million in revenue. It currently has 9,000 people working for the company.
In its press release, the company acknowledged that the incident was a more “sophisticated attack by a party outside the company that accessed a limited number of company file servers.”
The unauthorized access was found by Belden own IT personnel after finding unusual activity from the said file servers, states ZD Net.
Further investigation on the matter revealed that the malicious attacker obtained and copied data of both current and past employees. Information on its business partners has also been compromised.
Bleeping Computer says the ‘sophisticated attack’ may refer to a ransomware attack, given that numerous companies and lawyers have taken to using the term to describe this type of incident when providing notices to the public.
Following the security breach, ZD Net states that the company is now working to inform affected parties regarding the incident. It reportedly reached out to employees and customers alike whose information they believe was made vulnerable by threat actors.
In a statement, president and chief executive officer Roel Vestjens said, “Safety is always paramount at Belden and we take threats to the privacy of personal and company information very seriously. We regret any complications or inconvenience this incident may have caused and are offering assistance to those individuals who may have been impacted.”
Apart from informing affected parties, Belden has taken steps to provide free credit monitoring and support services to affected individuals. Those who may have questions or concerns surrounding the attack are encouraged to reach out to the firm at protect@belden.com.
In its statement, the networking device manufacturer ensures its customers and the public that it is working to protect the said servers and the data in question. It is currently working with law enforcement agencies and regulatory officials as it continues to investigate the attack.
Despite the attack, the company assures its customers that its production plants are not affected by the data breach. Its quality control and shipping departments are also said to operate normally.
