Microsoft alerts other organisations of Russia-backed hackers' threats after email hacking incident

Microsoft's Threat Intelligence team, stating that the group has been targeting various organisations. Microsoft has initiated notification processes for the targeted entities. Also Read | FTC launches inquiry into artificial intelligence deals such as Microsoft's OpenAI partnership Recent developments suggest that Midnight Blizzard's activities extend beyond Microsoft.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. (HPE) reported a breach in its cloud-based email system on January 24, attributing it to the activities of Midnight Blizzard. This signals a broader reach for the hacking group.

In a prior disclosure, Microsoft revealed that the group compromised a "legacy non-production test tenant account" to gain access to a "small number" of email accounts, including those of senior leadership and employees in cybersecurity and legal roles. Also Read | Microsoft lays off 1,900 Activision Blizzard, Xbox staff: Report The initial target was information about Midnight Blizzard itself. The investigation later revealed that the compromised email account lacked multifactor authentication, a standard security measure.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), an information technology provider, reported that it was notified on December 12 about a breach by a nation-state hacking group in its email systems. Investigators believe the hackers accessed and infiltrated data starting in May, primarily targeting a small percentage of HPE mailboxes from employees in cybersecurity and other departments. Also Read | AI race propels Silicon Valley tech firms Microsoft, Meta, and Google to new highs.