Russian telecom operator Beeline faced service disruptions following a cyberattack that targeted its IT systems. According to online reports, the telco faced a targeted distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack – second major attack on the company in recent weeks. The telco provider, with over 44 million subscribers, confirmed the attack to local media.
Beeline communicated the breach on its Telegram channel, emphasizing that the hackers did not gain access to customer data. The company is currently working to restore all affected systems and enhance its cybersecurity measures to prevent future incidents. Although mobile services are operational, users have reported issues with accessing certain account management features and online services.
Rising cybersecurity threats in Russia
The cyberattack on Beeline is part of a broader wave of cybersecurity threats in Russia. In September, Russia's second-largest bank, VTB, experienced similar disruptions after a cyberattack on its systems. These incidents underscore the escalating risks posed by cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure in the country.
Experts warn that the frequency and sophistication of such attacks are increasing, potentially impacting not only businesses but also essential services relied upon by millions of Russian citizens. Beeline's response to the attack and its ongoing recovery efforts will be closely watched by both regulators and the telecom industry.
According to a cybersecurity source quoted by Forbes Russia, the February attack on Beeline and the earlier incident involving MegaFon are among the most significant hacktivist cyberattacks on the telecom sector this year.
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