Earlier this month, Russian-linked cybercriminal organization, REvil, launched the single biggest global ransomware attack on record. The breach infected thousands of victims in more than 17 countries and demanded $70 million in cryptocurrency to unscramble all the infected machines. What made this breach especially noteworthy was the specific conduit the criminals used to gain access to the victims: Kaseya VSA (virtual systems/server administrator), a remote monitoring and management (RMM) solution. RMM solutions are commonly used by managed services providers (MSPs) and managed security services providers (MSSPs) alike. What makes them particularly attractive to cybercriminals is that each MSP/MSSP breach has an enormous trickle-down effect. For example, CBS News reported that Swedish grocery chain Coop had to close most of its 800 stores for multiple days because the attack crippled their cash register software supplier. Thus, not only do these “one-to-many” attacks lead to more victims in a shorter period, but they also lead to bigger payoffs for the attackers.
Robert Kim, Chief Technology Officer at Presidio, helps organizations modernize with purpose by turning AI, cloud, and digital technologies into real business outcomes. As a strategic technology orchestrator, he guides clients through complexity with a strategy first and value-led approach. Rob leads initiatives at the intersection of innovation and governance, ensuring secure, scalable, and sustainable digital ecosystems. Prior to joining Presidio in 2016, he held leadership roles across technology management and consulting, with expertise in sales engineering, business development, and operational excellence. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Penn State and an MBA from Drexel University.