Cisco Talos warns of wider security implications following Snowflake breach

A new report released today by Cisco Talos is warning of the implications of the recent Snowflake Inc.-related cloud data platform breach and how the comprised accounts highlight the vulnerabilities inherent in cloud environments.

The Snowflake breach involved attackers using stolen login credentials to infiltrate customer accounts. The credentials were not protected by multifactor authentication, allowing the attackers to steal sensitive information. However, Cisco Talos makes the argument that the incident is not just about Snowflake but indicates a broader shift in cyberthreats, focusing on identity and compromised credentials.

The criminal threat landscape has transformed rapidly, going from fragmented groups of hackers seeking credit card numbers and sending spam, to today, when sophisticated syndicates make billions through ransomware and data extortion. As the Cisco Talos researchers note, the money being brought in through ransomware and data extortion has seen every “trying to grab a piece of the pie.”