Security News > 2021 > September > FBI and CISA warn of potential cyberattacks this holiday weekend, citing past trends
On Tuesday, the FBI and CISA released an advisory, warning organizations to "Remain vigilant" to cybersecurity threats heading toward the holiday weekend.
The federal advisory makes note of "Recent holiday targeting," stating that "Cyber actors have conducted increasingly impactful attacks against U.S. entities on or around holiday weekends." Neither FBI nor CISA has information about a cyberattack "Coinciding with upcoming holidays and weekends," per the advisory, but the document says cybercriminals may see holidays and weekends as "As attractive timeframes" to "Target potential victims."
This includes a pair of attacks in May: One that occurred ahead of the Mother's Day weekend involving DarkSide ransomware and another during the Memorial Day weekend involving Sodinokibi/REvil ransomware attack directed at a "Critical infrastructure entity" at the FDA. On the Fourth of July weekend, a Sodinokibi/REvil ransomware targeted a "U.S.-based critical infrastructure entity in the IT Sector," per the advisory.
Other executives we spoke with reiterated a similar lack of surprise with the advisory; some provided security tips for companies to bear in mind leading up to the extended holiday weekend.
Kellermann listed a few ways CISOs could protect their systems during the holiday weekend.
The FBI and CISA, were "Wise to issue this advisory," said Tom Bossert, president, Trinity Cyber, noting the holiday timing of "Serious" ransomware attacks on U.S. organizations.