The Iranian hacking group Handala has announced a fresh cyber attack, claiming to have breached the networks of Silicom, a prominent company linked to Israeli intelligence. According to Handala, Silicom serves as the cover organisation for Unit 8200, the Israeli military’s elite cyber unit, and the Mossad, Israel’s national intelligence agency.
In a statement, Handala revealed that they had infiltrated Silicom’s isolated network and spent months undetected, gaining access to a vast amount of classified data. The group claims to have exfiltrated a staggering 40 terabytes of sensitive information, which includes emails, correspondence, administrative and financial documents, research and development materials, and even recordings of calls.
Silicom, described by Handala as a critical player in the design and implementation of electronic surveillance stations for Unit 8200 and Mossad, is said to have top-ranking officers from these intelligence agencies in senior management positions.
After months of operation within Silicom’s highly secure network, Handala reportedly carried out a devastating final act. At midnight, the group wiped all 40TB of data, including backup files from the company’s servers. The hacking group claims to now hold exclusive control over the stolen information, leaving Silicom with no recourse to recover the lost data.
