Clorox’s $380M Wipeout: When IT Support Outsourcing Goes Wrong
Clorox has sued IT partner Cognizant, blaming them for a colossal $380 million ransomware fiasco. Hackers duped Cognizant’s service desk into resetting passwords, granting them VIP access to Clorox’s inner sanctum. The moral of the story? Even billion-dollar companies can fall victim to the oldest trick in the book: a phone call.
Hot Take:
Clorox is taking the phrase “cleaning house” to a whole new level by suing their IT partner, Cognizant, for a ransomware attack that left them soaked in losses. Turns out, scrubbing away ransomware isn’t as easy as wiping down a counter. The hackers didn’t even need to be computer wizards; they just made a few phone calls, and voilà, instant chaos! Perhaps Clorox should start manufacturing cybersecurity solutions. At least those could be labeled “99.9% effective against digital germs.”
Key Points:
- Clorox is suing Cognizant, blaming them for a devastating August 2023 ransomware attack.
- Attackers exploited the service desk by impersonating employees to reset passwords.
- Negligence in following security protocols allowed hackers to access high-level credentials.
- Ransomware attack cost Clorox $380 million in lost revenue and $49 million in remediation.
- Similar attacks highlight the risks of outsourcing IT support functions.