Why a Wind Farm Company Chose Hackers Over Their Own IT Team

In an intriguing blend of cybersecurity and unexpected decision-making, a recent episode of Darknet Diaries illustrates a rather unusual situation involving a small wind farm and a group of hackers.

The story unfolds as the wind farm’s systems suffered a security breach. Instead of extracting data or causing chaos, the hackers took an unexpected route: they used the facility’s computing power—specifically, Windows machines connected to the turbines—to mine Bitcoin.

What set this situation apart was the hackers’ proactive approach. As the investigation unfolded, the incident response team discovered that these unauthorized users were systematically applying patches to the compromised systems, a task that the company’s IT department had previously struggled to manage effectively. This unusual turn of events raised an eyebrow among the incident responders, who were preparing to guide the company in purging the intruders.

However, in a surprising twist, the management team evaluated their options and ultimately decided to keep the hackers around. Their reasoning? The intruders demonstrated a superior capability in maintaining the performance and security of the systems compared to their own IT staff.

This scenario raises a plethora of questions about the state of cybersecurity in smaller organizations. While it might seem outrageous to rely on hackers for effective system maintenance, it also highlights a crucial issue: many teams grapple with the complexities of keeping systems properly updated and secure. The decision made by the wind farm company reflects the desperate need for skilled IT professionals who can match the proactive measures often employed by cybercriminals.

In conclusion, while the notion of having hackers maintain company systems is unconventional, it serves as a striking reminder of the ongoing challenges within the cybersecurity landscape and the critical importance of robust IT management. For more insights like this, don’t miss the second story of the Darknet Diaries podcast.