Cybersecurity is in the news again with the disclosure that Tesla, working in conjunction with the FBI, prevented a ransomware attack from being launched at its Gigafactory in Nevada. The cybercriminals targeted Tesla through one of its employees, whom they allegedly promised to pay $1 million in order to help them infect the company’s system with malware.
While it is fortunate the crime was thwarted by an employee with integrity, it nevertheless underscores how brazen malicious actors have become in their attempt to compromise corporate networks and gain access to sensitive information.
The Tesla cyberattack highlights the vulnerability posed by insiders (such as employees) to corporate data. Even if organizations have hardened their security by deploying firewalls, antivirus systems, penetration tests and malware protection, the human element remains the weakest point of vulnerability.