UK Leads Global Operation to Dismantle Cobalt Strike Cybercrime Network
In a significant global operation, the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) has successfully dismantled a vast network of unauthorized use of the pen testing tool Cobalt Strike. Operation Morpheus resulted in the takedown of 593 IP addresses across 27 countries, marking a substantial blow to cybercriminal activities.
The operation, led by the NCA, was bolstered by the efforts of Fortra, Microsoft, and Health-ISAC in a two-year campaign. Their collaborative work has led to an 80% reduction in the misuse of Cobalt Strike by cybercriminals. The international nature of the operation involved UK law enforcement agencies and partners from other nations targeted by the campaign.
To enhance efficiency, automation processes were implemented, reducing the average dwell time between initial detection and takedown. In the US, this timeframe was cut to under a week, and worldwide, it was reduced to less than a fortnight. Fortra played a crucial role by seizing and sinkholing over 200 malicious domains, preventing further exploitation. The company continues to raise awareness by sending takedown notices to hosting providers.
Operation Morpheus, led by the NCA, has demonstrated the power of international cooperation in combating cybercrime. The significant reduction in Cobalt Strike misuse and the improved takedown efficiency highlight the success of this joint effort. Fortra's proactive role in seizing malicious domains and raising awareness further strengthens the global response to cyber threats.
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