Iranian state-sponsored hackers have deployed a new strain of data-wiping malware on the network of Bapco, Bahrain’s national oil company, ZDNet has learned from multiple sources.
The incident took place on December 29. The attack did not have the long-lasting effect hackers might have wanted, as only a portion of Bapco’s computer fleet was impacted, with the company continuing to operate after the malware’s detonation.
ZDNet has learned from several sources that the Bapco incident is the cyber-attack described in a security alert published last week by Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority. Saudi officials sent the alert to local companies active on the energy market, in an attempt to warn of impending attacks, and urging companies to secure their networks.
The Bapco security incident came to light amid rising political tensions between the US and Iran after the US military killed a top Iranian military general in a drone strike last week.
Although the Bapco incident doesn’t appear to be connected to the current US-Iranian political tensions,…
