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Potential Ransomware Attack at DLA Piper

June 28, 2017

Legaltech News reported that DLA Piper suffered a cyberattack that took down its phones and computers. It appears that the shutdown may be due to a ransomware attack similar to the WannaCry attack. Apparently, a new global ransomware outbreak has been hitting airports, banks, shipping firms and other businesses across Ukraine, Russia, the United Kingdom, Denmark, India and beyond according to Data Breach Today, which also referenced the DLA Piper incident. DLA said in a statement: "The firm, like many other reported companies, has experienced issues with some of its systems due to suspected malware. We are taking steps to remedy the issue as quickly as possible."

After reading the report, the impact to the phone system struck me. I'm sure DLA Piper uses a VoIP phone system. VoIP systems can share the LAN (very common) or be isolated on its own network (better design). However, the phone system does use TCP/IP for communication just like computers and servers. I can see how malware could impact the VoIP phone system. A traditional PBX phone system would not be impacted. It sounds like modern technology isn't always a good thing…just saying.

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