Don’t Help Fund North Korea’s Weapons Program

North Korea is not the most open place in the world. A few years ago we detailed the huge news of them stepping into the late 20th century and unveiling their first ATM machine. Yet, they seem to have plenty of weapons to show off. So, how do they get the money to fund these programs? Cyber crime!

North Korea Loves Cyber Crime

For a nation that is as poor as they are they seem to have plenty of money to build weapons and fund their military. Despite the backwards nature of the country they have a sophisticated cyber crime network and they take advantage of it.

In a leaked report the United Nations revealed that North Korea is responsible for an increased number of sophisticated attacks around the world on both banks and cryptocurrency wallets. Not only have they been stealing from financial institutions but they also use those institutions to launder the stolen money. It is estimated that they have stolen upwards of $2 billion in at least 35 attacks in 17 different countries.

A Worldwide Failure

They have been able to do this by having access to the global financial system because UN member states have not followed through in placing sanctions on the country. Pyongyang has also sent out its own hackers into the world to conduct operations in Asia and Europe to conduct cryptocurrency operations. 

At the moment, North Korea does not seem to be targeting regular businesses but the same exploits that can be used against a bank or a cryptocurrency exchange can be used against your business. If sanctions are applied and their access to the global financial system is cut off they may move on to attack businesses. 

You Can Help Make The World Safer!

So, how can you prevent your business from helping to fund North Korea’s weapons program? Maintaining PCI Compliance is the best place to start. Make sure that you keep your computer systems up to date and apply any security patch needed. Make sure that any computer that is out of date is not used and make sure that your building and access to any physical record is secure. If you can maintain PCI Compliance, you can do your part to help make the world safer!