Ethical Hacking News
A London-based talent agency has self-reported itself to the UK's data protection watchdog following claims from notorious ransomware crew Rhysida. The Agency, which represents luminaries of stage and screen across the Film, TV, and Theatre industries, is holding its data to ransom after Rhysida published a montage of stolen documents and passport scans on its website. With recovery costs estimated at £1.6 million ($2 million), The Agency's move highlights the growing threat posed by ransomware gangs like Rhysida.
The Agency, a London-based talent agency, has self-reported itself to the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) after being targeted by the notorious Rhysida ransomware crew. The Agency is representing luminaries of stage and screen across various industries, including Louis De Bernieres, Sam Mendes, and Emma Thompson. The Agency was established in 1995 and has been a staple of the entertainment industry for decades, providing top-notch representation to its biggest names. Rhysida ransomware crew is holding The Agency's data to ransom, with demands reportedly being made for roughly the same amount as the agency's auction price. The British Library was also targeted by Rhysida last year and has since revealed recovery costs have reached £1.6 million ($2 million), despite initial estimates suggesting a more substantial cost of around £7 million ($8.8 million). Rhysida's modus operandi is characterized by high-profile attacks on luxury organizations and institutions, with the gang also targeting MarineMax and the Port of Seattle. The Agency has taken proactive steps to maintain transparency and comply with data protection regulations after self-reporting itself to the ICO. Defenders are being advised to patch vulnerabilities (particularly in VPNs) and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to prevent attacks like Rhysida's.
London-based talent agency, The Agency, has taken a bold step in its ongoing struggle to protect itself against cyber threats by self-reporting itself to the UK's data protection watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). This move comes amidst reports that the notorious Rhysida ransomware crew is holding The Agency's data to ransom, with the gang already publishing a montage of stolen documents and passport scans on its website.
The Agency, which represents luminaries of stage and screen across the Film, TV, and Theatre industries, was established in 1995. Its client list boasts an impressive array of talent, including Louis De Bernieres, Sam Mendes, Emma Thompson, and many more. The agency has been a staple of the entertainment industry for decades, providing top-notch representation to some of its biggest names.
However, The Agency's recent struggles with Rhysida, a relatively inconsistent but high-profile ransomware group, have brought the organization under the spotlight. In a move that highlights the evolving nature of cyber threats and their impact on even well-established organizations, The Agency has chosen to self-report itself to the ICO in light of claims made by Rhysida.
According to reports, the British Library was also targeted by Rhysida last year, with the gang making demands for roughly the same amount as The Agency's auction price. The British Library, however, chose not to pay up and has since revealed that recovery costs have reached £1.6 million ($2 million), despite initial estimates suggesting a more substantial cost of around £7 million ($8.8 million).
The strike against the British Library was one of the most disruptive ransomware incidents in the UK in recent memory, with some reports suggesting that the cost of recovery could have been significantly higher had the library chosen to pay the ransom demands.
Rhysida's modus operandi is often characterized by its high-profile attacks on luxury organizations and institutions. In addition to The Agency and the British Library, the gang has also targeted MarineMax, a luxury yacht dealer, and the Port of Seattle.
Despite Rhysida's reputation for carrying out high-stakes ransomware operations, its affiliates tend not to register as frequently as other groups, such as RansomHub and Akira. However, when they do strike, their attacks are often notable for their high-profile nature, making them a force to be reckoned with in the world of cybercrime.
In light of Rhysida's actions, The Agency has taken proactive steps by self-reporting itself to the ICO. This move is seen as an important step in maintaining transparency and compliance with data protection regulations.
The ICO spokesperson stated: "We have received a report from The Agency and we are making enquiries."
While self-referring to the ICO does not necessarily mean that The Agency has suffered a significant breach, it highlights the organization's commitment to prioritizing data security and adhering to data protection laws.
In an effort to prevent attacks like Rhysida's, defenders are being advised to patch vulnerabilities (particularly in VPNs) and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). This guidance was laid out by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) following the British Library break-in, which provided a wealth of information on Rhysida's tradecraft.
The incident highlights once again the growing threat posed by ransomware gangs like Rhysida. As organizations navigate an increasingly complex cyber landscape, it is essential to prioritize data security, stay informed about emerging threats, and adopt proactive measures to prevent attacks.
In conclusion, The Agency's self-reporting of itself to the ICO in light of Rhysida's claims underscores the evolving nature of cyber threats and their impact on well-established organizations. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges posed by ransomware gangs like Rhysida, it is crucial that organizations prioritize data security, stay informed about emerging threats, and take proactive measures to prevent attacks.
Related Information:
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/02/19/london_celebrity_talent_agency_reports/
Published: Wed Feb 19 03:56:32 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
