Chris Krebs and Alex Stamos have started a cyber consulting firm

Zack Whittaker
·1 min read

Former U.S. cybersecurity official Chris Krebs and former Facebook chief security officer Alex Stamos have founded a new cybersecurity consultancy firm, which already has its first client: SolarWinds .

The two have been hired as consultants to help the Texas-based software maker recover from a devastating breach by suspected Russian hackers, which used the company's software to set backdoors in thousands of organizations and to infiltrate at least 10 U.S. federal agencies and several Fortune 500 businesses.

At least the Treasury Dept., State Dept. and the Department of Energy have been confirmed breached, in what has been described as likely the most significant espionage campaign against the U.S. government in years. And while the U.S. government has already pinned the blame on Russia, the scale of the intrusions are not likely to be known for some time.

Krebs was one of the most senior cybersecurity officials in the U.S. government, most recently serving as the director of Homeland Security's CISA cybersecurity advisory agency from 2018, until he was fired by President Trump for his efforts to debunk false election claims — many of which came from the president himself. Stamos, meanwhile, joined the Stanford Internet Observatory after holding senior cybersecurity positions at Facebook and Yahoo. He also consulted for Zoom amid a spate of security problems.

In an interview with the Financial Times, which broke the story, Krebs said it could take years before the hackers are ejected from infiltrated systems.

SolarWinds chief executive Sudhakar Ramakrishna acknowledged in a blog post that it had brought on the consultants to help the embattled company to be "transparent with our customers, our government partners, and the general public in both the near-term and long-term about our security enhancements."

Just how bad is that hack that hit US government agencies?

Latest Stories

  • List reveals the tourist wonders closer to home

    The seven wonders of the world may be a little out of reach for a while yet but Brits have been reminded to embrace the excitement on their own doorstep.

  • Sizing up the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot: Is Curt Schilling the only candidate with a chance?

    Everyone will again be watching the vote totals for Curt Schilling, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, but the math says no candidate is likely to be voted in.

  • Covid: No risk to delivery of Pfizer vaccine, minister insists, despite EU threat to impose export controls

    Nadhim Zahawi ‘confident’ that tens of millions of doses of jabs ordered from Belgium will arrive

  • European stocks rise despite concerns about COVID vaccine rollout

    The EU has threatened to block exports of vaccines amid a row with AstraZeneca over supply.

  • Hungry Joyce sounds warning to Fury and Joshua ahead of blockbuster 2021

    Determined Joe Joyce is just two fights away from heavyweight immortality and told Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua – ‘I’m coming for you’.

  • Healthcare Contract Manufacturing Market Size Worth $323.6 Billion By 2028: Grand View Research, Inc.

    The global healthcare contract manufacturing market size is expected to reach USD 323.6 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2021 to 2028. The changing regulatory landscape, coupled with rising offshoring to emerging countries, is anticipated to propel the market growth over the forecast period.

  • Katie Price wins praise for 'Harvey and Me' documentary as Dwight Yorke slammed for abandoning disabled son

    The retired footballer father has come under fire for his absence from Harvey's life. highlighted by the new BBC documentary.

  • Global Water Well Drilling Services Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2027 - Increase in Demand for Water Well / Rise in Use of Water Well for Irrigation / Service Innovation

    Dublin, Jan. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Water Well Drilling Services Market by Application, and Drilling Method Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global Water well drilling services market was valued at $2,833.3 million in 2019, and is projected to reach $3,900.6 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 4.7% from 2021 to 2027.Water well drilling services are involved in the process of offering the service of drilling a hole in the ground to make water well or borewell in order to extract ground water for various application including residential use, irrigation, industries, commercial use and others. There are different types of water well drilling method that includes rotary method, jetting method, cable tool method, auger drilling method and others. Water well drilling can be done either mechanically or manually and the characteristics of equipment differs from simple & cheap to very sophisticated.Increasing demand for water well across the globe fuels the growth of the market. Moreover, rising use of water well for irrigation purpose across the globe further fuels the growth of the water well drilling market. However, the scarcity of underground water is expected to hamper the growth of the water well drilling services market. Furthermore, rapid industrialization and rising preference for underground water over surface water are anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities for the market growth, in terms of value sales, during the forecast period.The global Water well drilling services market is segmented into application, drilling method types and region. Based on application, the market is divided into residential, irrigation and institutional. On the basis of drilling method type, the market is segregated into rotary, cable tools drilling & auger drilling and others. Region wise, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.The key players operating in the global Water well drilling services market focus on prominent strategies to overcome competition and maintain as well as improve their market share globally. Some of the major players in the global Water well drilling services industry analyzed in this report include caster drilling, Jim Jeffers Well Drilling, Casey Well Drilling, LOMAN Drilling Inc., CRAIG Waterwell & Drilling Ltd, TAMPA WELL DRILLING, INC., Gordon & Sons Water Well Drilling, Weninger Drilling, LLC, Barco Well Service LP and Johnson Water well Drilling. Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: Executive SummaryChapter 3: Market Overview3.1. Market Definition and Scope3.2. Key Findings3.2.1. Top Investment Pockets3.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis3.4. Covid-19 Impact on Water Well Drilling Services Market3.5. Market Dynamics3.5.1. Drivers3.5.1.1. Increase in Demand for Water Well3.5.1.2. Rise in Use of Water Well for Irrigation3.5.1.3. Service Innovation3.5.2. Restraint3.5.2.1. Scarcity of Underground Water3.5.3. Opportunities3.5.3.1. Rapid IndustrializationRise in Preference for Underground Water Over Surface WaterChapter 4: Water Well Drilling Services Market, by Application4.1. Overview4.1.1. Market Size and Forecast4.2. Residential4.3. Irrigation4.4. InstitutionalChapter 5: Water Well Drilling Services Market, by Drilling Methods Type5.1. Overview5.1.1. Market Size and Forecast5.2. Cable Tool Drilling & Auger Drilling5.3. Rotary DrillingChapter 6: Water Well Drilling Services Market, by Region6.1. Overview6.1.1. Market Size and Forecast, by RegionChapter 7: Competition Landscape7.1. Top Winning Strategies7.2. Competitive Dashboard7.3. Competitive Heat MapChapter 8: Company Profiles8.1. Company Overview8.2. Key Executive8.3. Company Snapshot8.4. Product Portfolio Barco Well ServiceCasey Well DrillingCaster DrillingCraig Waterwell & Drilling LtdGordon & Sons Water Well DrillingJim Jeffers Well DrillingJohnson Water Well DrillingLoman Drilling Inc.Tampa Well Drilling, Inc.Weninger Drilling, LLC For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ow2pdo Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

  • Sarah Huckabee Sanders Is Running For Governor. Here Are Her Most Egregious Lies.

    NBC's Mehdi Hasan reacted to the former White House press secretary's run with a reminder of her "brazen" lies on behalf of Donald Trump.

  • L'Occitane, Inc. to Optimize U.S. Store Footprint to Best Position Business for the Future

    L'Occitane, Inc. ("L'Occitane" or the "Company"), a leading U.S. retailer of beauty and well-being products rich in natural and organic ingredients that preserves and celebrates the traditions of Provence, today announced that it has taken action to further accelerate a transformation already well underway to best position its business for the future. With its iconic global brand and highest quality offerings beloved by many, L'Occitane has successfully evolved its business model to serve customers nationwide across multiple channels. The initiative announced today will allow the Company to create a sustainable U.S. store platform for the long term.

  • Netflix’s 20 biggest critical flops, from Rebecca to Emily in Paris

    If you’re in the mood to hate-watch movies and TV shows – you’ve come to the right place

  • CONDITIONS FOR SALE OF RIKSBANK CERTIFICATES

    Bid date, 2021-01-26Auction date2021-01-26Settlement date2021-01-27Maturity Date2021-02-03Nominal amount380 billion SEKInterest rate, %0.00Bid times09.30-10.00 (CET/CEST) on the Bid dateConfirmation of bids to e-mailrbcert@riksbank.seThe lowest accepted bid volume1 million SEKThe highest accepted bid volume380 billion SEKAllocation Time10.15 (CET/CEST) on the Bid dateProjected minimum liquidity surplus during the term902 billion SEKExpected excess liquidity at full allotment522 billion SEK Stockholm, 2021-01-26

  • Liquid Telecom Renews and Expands Capacity Agreements on Eutelsat’s EUTELSAT 7B Satellite

    Liquid Telecom renews and expands capacity agreements on Eutelsat’s EUTELSAT 7B satellite

  • NEXE Announces Filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications

    NEXE Innovations Inc. ("NEXE" or "the Company") (TSXV: NEXE) (OTC Markets: NEXNF), a leader in plant-based compostable technology and advanced materials innovation is pleased to announce the expansion of its intellectual property ("IP") portfolio. Over the last eight months, the Company has filed ten (10) provisional patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO").

  • Cecabank Chooses Broadridge to Provide Automated Proxy Voting Service

    To broaden its services related to new mandatory obligations under the updated Shareholder Rights Directive (SRD II) Cecabank S.A., one of the largest global custodian banks in Spain, has selected Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR), a global Fintech leader, to provide them with Broadridge's leading global proxy voting solution.

  • Commentary: Condescension over use of 'Dr.' title 'reeks of misogyny and paternalism'

    As I reviewed the media coverage surrounding Jill Biden’s academic achievements and read the related condescending comments urging her to stop using her “Dr.” title, I was once again awash with the frustration I have experienced over many years as a nurse with a doctoral degree. The comments reek of the professional hierarchy, misogyny and paternalism that is evident throughout much of the ...

  • World Class Extractions Provides Year-End Update on Pineapple Express Delivery

    Online ordering and doorstep delivery have become the new normal as patients and consumers continue to rely on convenient and sustainable delivery servicesVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 26, 2021 / World-Class Extractions Inc. (CSE:PUMP) (FRA:WCF) (OTCQB:WCEXF) ("Company" or "World-Class"), is pleased to provide an update on Pineapple Express Delivery Inc.

  • Home Office urged to publish review into ‘desperate’ asylum camps amid concerns about Covid outbreak

    Ministers come under pressure as hundreds remain in camp where coronavirus outbreak has taken hold, with one asylum seeker saying he is sleeping outdoors to protect himself

  • Indonesia escorts seized Iran, Panama-flagged tankers to dock for investigation

    The Iranian and Panamanian-flagged vessels seized by Indonesian authorities for suspected illegal oil transfers are making their way to dock at Batam island in the country's Riau Islands Province for further investigation, a Indonesia coast guard spokesman told Reuters. The two supertankers, with crew members from Iran and China, were seized on Sunday in Indonesian waters near Kalimantan island. The MT Horse, owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company and MT Freya, managed by Shanghai Future Ship Management Co, had a total of 61 crew members onboard.

  • Virtual IGEM 2020 Garnered RM 3.4 Billion Business Leads

    The Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) today announced impressive gains from the successful 11th International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM 2020), the first virtual edition held in October 2020; solidifying IGEM's role as South East Asia's most powerful green technology, business and innovation platform.