The American telecommunications giant T-Mobile has disclosed recent attempts by malicious actors to breach its systems. In a statement, the company’s Chief Security Officer, Jeff Simon, clarified that the attacks were executed via a network belonging to a third-party wired provider connected to T-Mobile’s infrastructure. According to Simon, no such attempts had been recorded in the past.
T-Mobile emphasized that its security systems successfully thwarted both data breaches and service disruptions. Following the incident, the company severed its connection with the provider’s network but refrained from specifying the perpetrators behind the attacks, although the information has been shared with the U.S. government.
As reported by Bloomberg, the attackers deployed commands to probe routers and map the network. T-Mobile managed to intercept and halt their activities at an early stage, preventing the attackers from advancing to subsequent phases of the operation.
This incident marks the first publicly acknowledged cyber event of its kind among U.S. telecommunications companies. T-Mobile highlighted that its multi-layered defense system, combined with collaboration with external experts, enabled a swift and effective response to the attack.
The breach occurred against the backdrop of reports concerning cyber-espionage linked to the group Salt Typhoon, which is allegedly associated with China. Previously, this group targeted companies such as AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies in intelligence-gathering operations.
Simon further noted that other providers are likely grappling with more severe repercussions from similar attacks. Meanwhile, T-Mobile underscored that its security measures are functioning as intended, effectively preventing unauthorized access to critical data.
T-Mobile continues to monitor the situation, reinforcing its cybersecurity measures while maintaining close coordination with governmental agencies. The company reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing the security of its customers and the protection of their information.
