Russian Surveillance Tech Firm Protei Hit by Cyber Attack

Shares of Protei, a Russian telecom company that develops technology for phone and internet companies to conduct web surveillance and censorship, have been impacted indirectly due to a recent hacking incident. The company, now headquartered in Jordan, had its website defaced and data stolen from its servers, TechCrunch has learned. Founded in Russia, Protei makes telecommunications systems for phone and internet providers across dozens of countries, including Bahrain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Pakistan, and much of central Africa. According to TechCrunch, a copy of Protei's website saved on the Internet Archives Wayback Machine shows it was defaced on November 8. The website was restored soon after. During the breach, the hacker obtained the contents of Protei's web server, around 182 gigabytes of files, including emails dating back years. A copy of Protei's data was provided to DDoSecrets, a non-profit transparency collective that indexes leaked datasets in the public interest, including data from law enforcement, government agencies, and other organizations. "We're aware of the incident and are currently investigating the matter," a Protei spokesperson said in a statement. "We take the security of our systems and data very seriously and are working to determine the extent of the breach and prevent similar incidents in the future." When asked about the potential impact on Protei's customers, the spokesperson declined to comment further. Protei's technology includes video conferencing solutions, internet connectivity products, and surveillance equipment, such as deep packet inspection systems, which allow phone and internet companies to monitor and filter online traffic. The company's products have been used in various countries, raising concerns about the potential for mass surveillance and censorship. The hacking incident highlights the growing concern about the security of companies that provide surveillance technology to governments and private entities. "This incident is a reminder that companies that provide surveillance technology to governments and private entities need to take their security responsibilities seriously," said a spokesperson for DDoSecrets. "We will continue to work with Protei and other organizations to ensure that the public has access to information about these incidents and the potential risks associated with surveillance technology." As the investigation into the breach continues, Protei's customers and partners are likely to be affected. The company's website has been restored, but the incident has raised concerns about the potential for data breaches and the security of Protei's systems. The incident is also likely to have a broader impact on the surveillance technology industry, as companies and governments grapple with the potential risks and consequences of using such technology.