By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Clorox has filed a lawsuit against Cognizant, alleging the IT provider’s negligence led to a significant cyberattack in 2023. The lawsuit claims hackers, identified as the Scattered Spider group, gained access by simply requesting employee passwords from Cognizant’s service desk. According to the suit, Cognizant staff provided credentials without proper verification, leading to a breach that caused $380 million in damages due to remedial costs and disrupted product shipments. Clorox also cited additional failures by Cognizant in containing the attack, further contributing to the severity of the situation.
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Lawsuit says Clorox hackers got passwords simply by asking, and that’s the crux of it all, isn’t it? The idea that elaborate, sophisticated hacking techniques were involved in a major cyber breach, particularly one affecting a company like Clorox, is often the first thing that comes to mind. But the truth, as a recent lawsuit suggests, is far more straightforward, and frankly, a little unsettling. Cognizant, the IT services company Clorox contracted for cybersecurity, allegedly had its service desk utterly bypassed. The hackers, according to the lawsuit, didn’t need to deploy any fancy tools or break any complex encryption. They simply called up the service desk, asked for the credentials to access Clorox’s network, and got them. Just like that.
This revelation shines a spotlight on a fundamental truth about cybersecurity that often gets lost in the shuffle: it’s not always about the technology. The human element, often referred to as social engineering, is frequently the weakest link. People tend to picture hackers hunched over keyboards, lines of code scrolling by, battling firewalls. But more often than not, the real “hacking” involves a simple phone call, an email, or even just a well-crafted request. The most sophisticated security systems can be rendered useless if the people using them are susceptible to these kinds of tactics. The irony is that Clorox likely invested millions in cybersecurity services from Cognizant, yet the attackers didn’t need to overcome any technical barriers.
The comments seem to suggest this is a disturbingly common problem. There are numerous examples given of how people have been able to obtain sensitive information through social engineering, even in seemingly secure environments. From pretending to be IT staff to simply asking for login credentials, it’s a testament to the effectiveness of these tactics and the potential vulnerability of employees. One person even recalls demonstrating this vulnerability firsthand, gaining login credentials from HR without hesitation. The point being, if you can convince someone to give you access, you don’t need to break in.
And how do you protect against this? Education, training, and constant reminders are essential. We’ve all been through the cybersecurity training that warns, “Never give out your network credentials to anyone who calls you on the phone or sends you an email.” But it’s clear that these warnings don’t always sink in. It’s like the old adage about building a better mousetrap: sometimes, the only thing you’re really doing is creating better mice. Despite the best efforts to build foolproof security systems, human error remains a persistent challenge. And it’s a challenge that is hard to overcome.
The Clorox case underscores a critical aspect of security, that no matter how much you pay for the top-tier security solutions, human vulnerability can undermine even the most robust technological defenses. Social engineering is a powerful “drug,” as one comment puts it. The hackers took advantage of that by manipulating their way through the front door of the organization.
It’s also worth noting the role of outsourcing. Clorox contracted Cognizant, a major IT consulting firm, for its cybersecurity. In this context, the lawsuit raises questions about the effectiveness of the services provided and whether cost-cutting measures or a lack of oversight might have contributed to the breach. It’s easy to be cynical about some IT consulting firms, and unfortunately in some cases, these companies may not always be incentivized to provide the highest level of security.
This case also highlights the importance of continuous vigilance and the ongoing evolution of attack methods. Hackers are always adapting their tactics. Phishing campaigns, often disguised as legitimate emails or texts, are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The fact that companies are regularly testing employees with phishing simulations and seeing high failure rates demonstrates the persistent threat. As technology advances, the focus is shifting towards multi-factor authentication. This is a step in the right direction, but ultimately, even the most robust security measures can be defeated if the human element is not addressed.
In conclusion, the Clorox case serves as a stark reminder of the human vulnerability that exists in even the most robust cyber security systems. It underscores the importance of comprehensive security training, employee awareness, and constant vigilance. In the end, it’s not just about the technology; it’s about fostering a culture of security where everyone understands the risks and knows how to identify and respond to social engineering attempts. It’s a world where the hackers simply asked for the passwords, and the answers were given. And, as the article suggests, a world where the simple act of asking is sometimes all it takes to compromise the most secure system.