Newfoundland Broadcasting Company Limited, the operator of NTV, a prominent independent television station in Newfoundland and Labrador, disclosed a cyberattack. Despite the breach, operations at NTV and its radio station, OZFM, remain unaffected. The company confirmed that certain parts of its systems were compromised, and the attackers are now threatening to publish the pilfered data online.
The attack has been attributed to the Play ransomware group, notorious for encrypting victims’ data and demanding payment for its release. The group claims to have accessed sensitive information such as budget details, payroll records, and client documents belonging to NTV. According to cybersecurity analyst Brett Callow, while the threats from Play should be taken seriously, paying the ransom should only be considered as a last resort.
Play’s modus operandi involves encrypting data to prevent access, with the promise to decrypt it upon receiving payment. However, Callow advises against giving in to the group’s demands unless there are no alternative means to recover the compromised data. As the company grapples with the aftermath of the attack, cybersecurity measures are paramount to safeguard against future threats and mitigate the impact of potential data leaks.
