Ministerio de Hacienda - República de Costa Rica Suffers Ransomware Attack by Conti Group

Victim Profile

The Ministerio de Hacienda, a pivotal government institution in Costa Rica, oversees the nation's financial affairs, including tax declaration, import/export control, and financial management. While the exact size of the ministry is not detailed, its critical role in managing Costa Rica's financial operations is undeniable.

Vulnerabilities and Impact

The Conti ransomware group, notorious for its aggressive ransomware campaigns, has significantly impacted the Costa Rican government's operations. The attack disrupted critical systems such as the digital tax service and customs control IT systems, leading to estimated losses of $38 million per day for the country's commerce.

Previous Attacks on Costa Rica

In 2022, Costa Rica faced a series of ransomware attacks targeting nearly 30 government institutions, including the Ministry of Finance and the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS). These incidents caused widespread disruption, necessitating international technical assistance to restore services.

Conti Ransomware Group

The Conti group, a sophisticated criminal organization, has orchestrated hundreds of ransomware incidents since 2020. Utilizing up to 32 individual logical threads, Conti's operations are notably faster and more efficient than many of its counterparts.

Mitigation and Response

In response to the Conti ransomware attack, the Costa Rican government has declared a state of emergency, treating the incident as an act of terrorism. Efforts to mitigate the attack's impact include seeking assistance from international partners and reinforcing cybersecurity measures across government institutions.

Sources

• Ministerio de Hacienda - República de Costa Rica
• 2022 Costa Rican ransomware attack - Wikipedia
• Conti's Attack Against Costa Rica Sparks a New Ransomware Era - WIRED
• Conti ransomware attack was aimed at destabilizing government transition, Costa Rican president says
• Ransomware Attack on the Government of Costa Rica [CASE STUDY]