Two major Russian IT service providers, LANTER and LAN, have been hit by a serious cyberattack. These companies play a crucial role in the country’s financial system by providing payment solutions, ATM software, and maintenance services. Both companies are part of the LANIT Group, a large technology firm that works with financial institutions, businesses, and even government agencies.
The cyberattack has put many banks and financial organizations at risk. Because these companies help process transactions and maintain ATMs, any disruption could lead to problems for banks and their customers. Officials are now warning financial institutions to take urgent steps to protect their systems.
The Russian National Computer Incident Response & Coordination Center (NCIRCC) released a security alert about the attack. It advised organizations to immediately change their passwords and security keys if they use LANIT’s data centers. The notice also urged companies to remove any remote access given to LANIT engineers and closely monitor their systems for any signs of hacking.
How the Attack Affects Banks and Businesses
The Russian financial sector is now on high alert. On February 21, FinCERT, the cybersecurity division of the Bank of Russia, informed banks and credit institutions about the attack. This means that banks using LANIT’s services could be compromised, leading to potential financial fraud, data theft, or system disruptions.
If hackers gain access to sensitive banking information, it could lead to unauthorized transactions, stolen funds, or even customers losing access to their accounts. That’s why Russian cybersecurity officials are urging financial organizations to act quickly and strengthen their security measures.
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Companies are also being told to report any suspicious activity to RuCERT, Russia’s cybersecurity response team. This will help authorities track the attack and prevent further damage. However, officials have not yet revealed the full extent of the breach or how many institutions have been affected.
Who Is Behind the Cyberattack?
So far, officials have not identified the attackers or explained how the cyberattack happened. However, given the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, some experts suspect it could be the work of hackers linked to Ukraine. Both countries have been engaged in cyber warfare for years, targeting each other’s critical infrastructure.
One of the most significant cyberattacks in recent years happened just before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Russian hackers targeted KA-SAT, a satellite internet service, disrupting Ukrainian military and government communications. The cyberattack also had unintended consequences, affecting internet services in parts of Europe, including wind farms in Germany.
LANIT Group is a well-known technology company in Russia, and its clients include major government institutions, including the Ministry of Defense and leading military-industrial organizations like Rostec. This makes the attack even more serious, as sensitive government and defense-related data could be at risk.
Adding to the complexity, the United States Department of Treasury sanctioned LANIT Group in May 2024. The sanctions were part of broader measures against Russian companies with ties to the government and military. Whether this played a role in the attack remains unknown.
For now, Russian financial institutions and businesses are racing to secure their systems and prevent further damage. The full impact of the attack is still unfolding, and authorities continue to investigate the situation.
