Singapore data handling firm DataPost probing alleged ransomware attack
SINGAPORE: Data handling service provider DataPost is in the early stages of investigating an alleged ransomware attack, the Singapore-based company said on Thursday (May 29).
DataPost, which works with government agencies and financial institutions, among others, told CNA its investigations "will take time to complete".
In response to queries from CNA, a spokesperson from the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) said that it is aware of the case and is also investigating.
In ransomware attacks, threat actors typically use malicious software to encrypt files on servers, then demand a ransom in exchange for unlocking these files.
The alleged attack on DataPost was recorded on May 26 and flagged the next day by infosecurity blog RedPacket Security and cybersecurity platform HookPhish.
The breach led to data exfiltration, or the unauthorised transfer of data, and appeared to involve multiple tools and personnel, suggesting a coordinated attack, according to RedPacket Security.
The threat group was identified as "direwolf", and allegedly used various infostealers – or malicious software that breaches computer systems – to gather the data.
CNA has contacted DataPost for further comment on the scale and severity of the attack.
DataPost provides e-invoicing services to financial institutions, insurance companies, telecommunication companies and government agencies in Singapore and Malaysia.
It handles over 40 million documents per month, according to its website.
The company said its facilities are audited annually by banks and third-party auditors to ensure compliance with data security and operational security requirements.
Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has accredited DataPost as the service provider for InvoiceNow, a nationwide e-invoicing network.
Through InvoiceNow, companies can transmit e-invoices in a standard digital format across different finance systems.
DataPost told CNA that it will comply with all regulatory obligations throughout the course of the investigation.
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Sivamurugan from USM agreed that the timing of the move could be perceived as trying to divert the attention from the resignations of Rafizi and Nik Nazmi, saying that not everyone in PKR would welcome Tengku Zafrul. "Because they know, once he's there, it's a threat to them as well, because he's accepted well by Anwar, the president,' he said. 'He has easy access to Anwar, the opportunities are more open for him. So of course, this will affect those who have been working very hard within the party till now. PH-BN partnership for GE16 not a given Ultimately, analysts believe Anwar and Ahmad Zahid share a special, mentor-mentee relationship that will allow them to resolve the issue amicably. Tengku Zafrul's move will not have an impact on the PH-BN partnership at the Sabah state election that is due by December, as the issues there are much more localised, the observers said. Azmi from the Nusantara Academy said Tengku Zafrul's current portfolio should be returned to UMNO once his term as senator ends in December. 'I think if that happens, then all will be okay with the PH and BN partnership," he told CNA. "Preferably it should be done before the upcoming Sabah state election, and more so I think before GE16." But this does not mean PH and BN will definitely work together at GE16, USM's Ahmad Fauzi said, adding that Anwar will ultimately decide to partner a party that can get him the Malay vote. "Looking at what has happened in PKR in the recent weeks, public trust in PKR as a reformist party has very much plunged,' he said, noting that Anwar will have to convince fence-sitters who only voted for PH because they hated the UMNO government or corruption. If by the time GE16 is due and Anwar does not enjoy Malay support, he could try to entice the Islamist opposition party PAS to team up, Ahmad Fauzi added. 'There are rumours that there have been behind-the-scenes negotiations (between Anwar and PAS) and so on. But we don't know how that will materialise in the real world.' CAN TENGKU ZAFRUL SUCCEED ANWAR IN PKR? In the longer term, Ahmad Fauzi did not rule out Tengku Zafrul succeeding Anwar as PKR's leader, noting that the minister is still considered relatively young in Malaysian politics at 51 years old. "Give him time. If he really asserts his role and plays well with the PKR political grassroots, that's not impossible, but he has to really work hard from now to, say, 10 years," he said. Sivamurugan said it is too early to tell as Tengku Zafrul has his work cut out for him. "He has to be a member, then hold positions at the division level first. That may take another five or 10 years, and we know at this point after the (PKR internal) election, Izzah is seen as the successor, and Anwar will not be able to contest (the PKR presidency) anymore," he said. "There are other young leaders also eyeing the top position as well, and we may see Rafizi coming back again within three or four years.' The fact that Tengku Zafrul contested and lost in the Kuala Selangor seat at the last general election in 2022 shows he does not have strong grassroots support, Sivamurugan said. "Maybe if he wants to be very active in politics after this, he should focus on how to climb up the ladder within PKR, if he believes that the acceptance level is different from UMNO." Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, a partner at strategic advisory firm ADA Southeast Asia, cautioned that Tengku Zafrul could end up like Zaid Ibrahim, a former law minister under UMNO in 2008 who left the party for PKR a year later. Zaid contested the Hulu Selangor by-election in 2010, but lost to a BN candidate. He quit PKR later that year after pulling out of a race for the party's deputy president post, citing "various issues of manipulation and unfair electoral practices". "Zafrul will need to prove himself to the party members by winning a state or federal seat before he is even considered a potential candidate to succeed Anwar as party president," Asrul Hadi said.
