More details are emerging from the late September hack of Florida-based BK Technologies. The company specializes in the production of wireless communications equipment, primarily for government agencies, that includes two-way land mobile radios, repeaters and base stations.
The hackers reportedly stole 25 GB of information that the included personal information of current and former employees, accounting documents, confidential agreements, military contracts, non-disclosure agreements and and payment data. SEC filings indicate that BK Technologies was able to isolate the targeted systems and remove the bad actors from their networks.
The company also stated that a significant portion of its remediation and investigation costs will be covered by cybersecurity insurance, and should not impact ongoing manufacturing. The entire event was easily bypassed until the notorious ransomware gang Akira recently claimed responsibility for the hack.
Although BK Technologies has not referenced anything relating to a ransomware payment or demand, the group's announcement could draw added notoriety.
Akira first emerged in early 2023 and made headlines with its double extortion attacks on manufacturers. The group's malware both locks down computer systems and steals data, triggering ransom demands that have ranged from $450,000 and up. It has reportedly generated over $50 million in ransomware payments since 2024.
Rebecca Moody, head of data research at Comparitech, offered the following insight:
"Akira is one of this year's most dominant ransomware strains. Akira not only seeks to encrypt systems but is doubling up on its chances of securing a ransom by also stealing data.
"In the case of BK Technologies, we know disruption was minimal but that key data (including that of former and current employees) has been breached. We don't yet know how many people have been impacted in this breach but anyone potentially impacted should be on high alert for any potential phishing messages and should monitor their accounts for any unauthorized activity."
