n recent years, the cyber landscape has witnessed a concerning trend: attacks that are not only destructive but also meticulously crafted to generate massive financial gain. One of the most alarming cases that caught global attention was a series of cryptocurrency heists linked to the Lazarus Group, a cyber unit widely believed to be affiliated with the North Korean government (DPRK).
This group, also known as APT38, has consistently targeted financial institutions and digital asset exchanges. Unlike opportunistic attacks, APT38 operates with a highly organized strategy. Their operations begin with phishing emails disguised as job offers from reputable companies, followed by the deployment of malware embedded in fake trading apps. Ultimately, the attackers manage to gain administrative access to the victim’s internal systems.
Once inside, they observe transaction patterns, implant additional backdoors, and maintain persistence over weeks or even months before executing large-scale transfers of digital assets to untraceable crypto wallets.
According to reports by Chainalysis and other global cybersecurity institutions, Lazarus managed to steal over $1 billion in digital assets in 2022 alone. These funds are believed to be used to support weapons programs and state-sponsored activities restricted by international sanctions.
For the digital asset industry, this case serves as a stark reminder that cyber security cannot rely solely on firewalls and antivirus software. Today’s threats are posed by well-resourced nation-state actors equipped with advanced techniques and long-term strategic goals.
Attacks like these leave behind complex and often hidden digital traces. In the aftermath of an incident, one of the most critical processes is digital forensics to identify the source of the attack, understand the techniques used, and secure evidence for legal and remediation purposes.
This is not a process that can be improvised. It requires expertise in extracting data from system artifacts, user activity logs, network traffic, and even deleted or modified files. Without proper forensic capabilities, organizations will struggle to determine what happened, who was involved, and how to prevent future incidents.
As cyber threats increasingly target digital financial platforms, organizations must improve not only their detection systems but also their incident response capabilities. The APT38 case reminds us that cybercrime is no longer hypothetical. It is real, sophisticated, and deeply impactful.
Investing in training such as the Digital Forensics Analyst program is not just about technical skill-building. It is a long-term investment in organizational resilience. That is why the Digital Forensics Analyst simulation scenario from VELSICURO-CYBER RANGES™️ is a highly relevant choice for institutions seeking to strengthen their cyber defense posture.
For more information on our hands-on cyber security training programs, simulation labs, and cyber drills, contact VelSicuro today:
🌐 www.cyberranges.velsicuro.com
✉️ hub@velsicuro.co.id
☎️ 0878 9090 8898
IT'S TIME!!
INDONESIA PRIDE!!
"Merah Putih" CYBER DEFENDER
SEE THE DIFFERENT, EXPECT THE BEST!!
TINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN CYBER ANDA!
Mari bersama VELSICURO-CYBER RANGES, kita wujudkan Generasi Emas Indonesia di era digital!
Need Any Technology Solution