Indonesian and Sudanese Cyber Threats Continue to Grow in Size and Scope

Indonesia and Sudan, like many other countries around the world, have a population of skilled hackers, some of whom may engage in illegal activities. However, not all hackers in Indonesia and Sudan are threatening or involved in cybercrime. Some may use their skills for legitimate purposes, such as improving cybersecurity measures, conducting vulnerability assessments or participating in bug bounty programs.

In recent years, Indonesia and Sudan have taken steps to enhance its cybersecurity infrastructure and legislation to combat cyber threats. Both governments have recognized the importance of cybersecurity and have been making efforts to increase awareness and strengthen its capabilities in this field.

Despite those government's position that they are looking to combat cyber incidents originating within it's borders, a disturbing trend has developed recently and has seen a large uptick in international attacks originating from within both country's borders.

Some of the attacks have included:

• A May 2023 cyber attack on Israel's mobile air defense, known as the Iron Dome system. The Indonesian group responsible for the attack claims that the breach was carried out "in support of the Palestinian resistance." This particular hacking group mostly targets government sites in Thailand, Cambodia, and Nepal and reported the attack on May 14 on its Twitter account.
• In April of 2023, the Indonesian hacking group known as "VulzSecTeam" published misappropriated data from Israeli gas stations, bus stations and flight information on their Telegram channel. The group also was able to successfully hack into Israeli home security cameras that were connected online and publish that information.
• April of 2023 was a busy month for the Sudanese hacker group known as "Anonymous Sudan." That month, the group took responsibility for a slew of attacks that targeted the websites belonging to Israeli banks, the postal delivery system, the electricity company and the country's red alert warning application.The Anonymous Sudan claims that their main targets are the Israel Post, as well as Bank Leumi, Discount Bank, Mizrahi-Tefahot, Bank Mercantile, Bank Benleumi (First International Bank of Israel) and its subsidiaries Bank Otzar Ha-hayal and Bank Massad.
•  April also saw the Anonymous Sudan attack several Israeli media sites, including the Jerusalem Post, KAN News, i24 and N12. Also in April, the Anonymous Sudan hacked into Israeli cyber security company Checkpoint and United Hatzalah.

Countries like Indonesia and Sudan, which are comparatively at a militaristic disadvantage versus superpowers like the United States, will often turn to cyber warfare as a means of making even the playing field against more powerful and better-funded countries. This is certainly a trend worth keeping an eye on.