Italian State Databases Compromised by Organized Cybercrime Group

Italian police announced the arrests of four individuals with ties to a high-profile malicious campaign targeting sensitive state databases. Authorities launched investigations into 60 individuals allegedly involved in the malicious operation.

Among those allegedly involved is Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, son of the late Luxottica founder. Although he is under investigation, his lawyers claim he is a victim of the circumstances and stand by his innocence.

Prosecutors Uncover Massive Cybercrime Network

Italy’s national anti-mafia prosecutor Giovanni Melillo and Milan’s chief prosecutor Marcello Viola, who are currently leading the investigation, have uncovered an intricate criminal network comprising hackers, private intelligence agencies, IT consultants, and law enforcement officials allegedly involved in the criminal operation.

According to authorities, this organized cybercrime syndicate has compromised databases containing highly sensitive information. In the wrong hands, these sensitive data troves could wreak havoc in both the public and private sectors.

Perpetrators Allegedly Breached Three Critical State Databases

Reportedly, threat actors breached three key state databases. One tracks suspicious financial activities, another holds citizens’ banking transactions, income statements, and utility bills, and the third and last one contains police investigation records.

Perpetrators are believed to have amassed a staggering 800,000 records by leveraging unauthorized access. The attackers then allegedly sold sensitive data to clients who may have exploited it in various malicious scenarios, including corporate espionage and blackmailing politicians.

Authorities Suspect Foreign Intelligence Involvement

The breach sparked concern, as some investigators believe that foreign intelligence agencies may have accessed the stolen data. The cybercrime group operated like a team of seasoned veterans, providing business intelligence services to its clientele.

Authorities believe some of the data may been used to manipulate the political landscape and even exert pressure on business competitors.

The Importance of Being Prepared Against Data Breaches

Worldwide digitalization has numerous advantages but also invites a series of shortcomings. Threat actors are constantly on the prowl for vulnerable systems and successful attacks against them usually expose massive troves of sensitive data.

While individuals can’t always control what happens to their data once it reaches the vast tides of the internet, they can still take steps to protect themselves against the fallout of a potential data breach.

Specialized software like Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection provides a comprehensive overview of your online data, including traces from services you no longer use. It also continuously monitors the public and the Dark Web and instantly notifies you if your information was leaked in a data breach. Furthermore, it lets you instantly patch any leaks and weak points in your digital footprint with simple, 1-click actions.