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Nation-state hackers breached a telecom technology vendor.
Reuters reports that nation-state hackers breached Texas-based telecom services company Ribbon Communications and remained within the company's network for over a year. Ribbon supplies technology that facilitates real-time voice and data communications; its customers include Verizon, BT, CenturyLink, Deutsche Telekom, SoftBank Group, TalkTalk, and Tata. The company also serves the US Defense Department. Ribbon said in a statement, "While we do not have evidence at this time that would indicate the threat actor gained access to any material information, we continue to work with our third-party experts to confirm this. We have also taken steps to further harden our network to prevent any future incidents."
Ribbon hasn't attributed the attack to any particular nation-state. Pete Renals, Director of National Security Programs for Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42, told Reuters that Ribbon's "central role as a supplier to sensitive government and infrastructure clients makes Ribbon a lucrative target for state-aligned actors, particularly from China and Russia."