A prominent French technology company, Atos SE, is currently investigating claims of a ransomware attack by the cybercrime group Space Bears. The incident was first reported on December 28, 2024, when the threat actors announced they had compromised one of Atos's databases.
Atos, which employs over 100,000 people and specializes in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and digital transformation services, stated they have found no evidence of system compromise or data breach so far. The company has not received any ransom demands to date.
"Our cybersecurity team is actively investigating the situation," Atos said in an official statement, promising to provide updates if new information emerges.
The Space Bears ransomware group, which emerged in early 2024, has been linked to several high-profile attacks worldwide. Their previous targets include Canadian software firm Haylem and its affiliates, as well as Canada's JRT Automatisation and India's Aptus.
In typical ransomware attacks, cybercriminals encrypt victims' data and demand payment for its release. Given Atos's position as one of France's largest IT companies and its role in providing cybersecurity services to clients, any potential breach could have widespread implications.
The company maintains it is taking these allegations seriously while continuing its investigation into the claimed database compromise. This development highlights the ongoing challenges faced by even cybersecurity-focused organizations in protecting against sophisticated ransomware threats.
Updates on this developing situation are expected as Atos's investigation proceeds.