‘Inside job’ in Saudi Aramco virus attack

Someone with “high-level access” may have assisted hackers in last month’s computer assault, report claims

The Shamoon virus struck the Saudi company in mid August, affecting some 30,000 office computers but having no effect on oil production.

Reuters reported on Friday that a source familiar with the internal investigation said one or more insiders “with high-level access” at Saudi Aramco are suspected of assisting the hackers.

"It was someone who had inside knowledge and inside privileges within the company," a source familiar with the ongoing forensic examination told the news wire.

A group calling itself The Cutting Sword of Justice claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened a repeat performance later in August, which is thought…

Become an Upstream member!

Membership includes a subscription to our weekly newspaper providing in-depth news from the energy industry, plus full-access to this site and its archives. Still not convinced? Try our free trial.

Already a member?

Login

Upstream share price index