Paterson & Cooke Ransomware Attack

Company Overview

A global engineering consultancy specializing in slurry pipeline and mine backfilling services for the mining industry, Paterson & Cooke, fell victim to a ransomware attack by the group Black Basta. Founded in 1991 by Angus Paterson and Robert Cooke in South Africa, the company now operates nine offices across five continents.

The exact number of employees is unspecified, but over 40% have ownership. The company's UK branch reported a turnover of £11,427,000 and a net worth of £3,214,000 in their most recent accounts.

Industry Standing

Renowned for expertise in slurry pipeline and mine backfilling consulting, the firm has global offices and testing laboratories. Its reputation for quality engineering consultancy services is well-established.

Ransomware Attack Summary

The cybercriminal group Black Basta targeted the consultancy, employing sophisticated techniques to breach their systems. They extracted 450 GB of sensitive data, including corporate records, designs, and user information. The ransom demand remains undisclosed, but the attackers leaked a sample of the stolen data as a demonstration. With a ransom deadline set for April 17th, 2024, this incident highlights the persistent threat posed by cybercriminals and underscores the need for cybersecurity measures to safeguard organizational data.

Vulnerabilities

The valuable data and critical infrastructure of the consultancy make it a prime target for threat actors like Black Basta. Securing systems against sophisticated ransomware attacks is challenging due to global activities.

Sources:

Paterson & Cooke Official Website

Companies House - Paterson & Cooke (UK) Ltd.

Proven Data - Black Basta Ransomware

HHS - Black Basta Threat Profile