The Institute of Space Technology (IST), a public university in Islamabad, Pakistan, has become the latest victim of a cyberattack by hacking group Medusa.
Earlier this month, Medusa infiltrated IST’s systems and gained access to sensitive university data, including passports, payslips, student records, and other confidential information. The hackers demanded a ransom of $500,000 in exchange for not leaking the data.
Despite the significant threat, IST has remained silent throughout the ordeal. The university has not released any public statements regarding the attack, ransom demands, or the current data leak. Additionally, their website is reportedly experiencing technical difficulties.
Data Leak on Telegram:
Following days of unanswered ransom demands, Medusa has now leaked the stolen data on a public Telegram channel. Sources report the data is spread across multiple downloadable files, each approaching 4GB in size.
It remains unclear if the leaked data represents the entirety of the information stolen from IST. The possibility exists that Medusa may withhold a portion of the data in hopes of reviving ransom negotiations.
IST has yet to respond to the data leak or answer any media inquiries. Their continued silence raises concerns about the university’s preparedness for such incidents and their plan to address the potential fallout.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of cyberattacks faced by educational institutions. It highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, transparent communication during such crises, and a proactive approach to data protection.
