In a recent cyber attack on August 2, 2023, Anonymous Sudan claimed responsibility for targeting the website of MTN, a major mobile telecommunication company in Nigeria. The hacker group made the announcement and provided details of the attack on their Telegram channel, boasting about the disruption they caused to MTN’s services. The attack lasted for six hours and impacted various critical systems, including internet, data calls, SMSes, and the MTN app and website, leaving thousands of Nigerian customers facing connectivity issues.
The severity of the cyber attack caught the attention of Threat Intelligence Service Falcon Feeds, who confirmed the extent of the damage caused by Anonymous Sudan. Falcon Feeds’ tweet acknowledged that multiple services of MTN were affected, disrupting operations and services across the nation. The incident raised concerns about cybersecurity and prompted discussions about the need for more robust cyber insurance policies.
Nastassja van den Heever, Group CISO at First National Bank, highlighted the challenges faced by cyber insurance companies in dealing with poorly-written policies, leading to significant payouts due to an increase in cyber attacks and breaches.
Celia Mantshiyane, the CIO of MTN SA, also spoke at an event about the importance of understanding the terms and conditions of cyber insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage during cyber incidents. The MTN Nigeria website remained accessible despite the attack, and The Cyber Express reached out to the company for an official statement on the claims made by Anonymous Sudan.
As the situation continues to evolve, industry experts and stakeholders are closely monitoring the response from MTN Nigeria and the implications of the cyber attack on the company’s operations and customers.
