Microsoft, in a blog post on Friday, revealed that the reported data breach last January allowed hackers to gain access to "some of the company's source code repositories and internal systems."
The tech giant said that the Russian-backed cybercriminal group Midnight Blizzard used the stolen corporate email systems from its leadership group to breach sensitive data.
(Photo : Tim Heitman/Getty Images for BIG3)
Source codes are among the most coveted data, especially from big companies like Microsoft, that hackers aim to gain access to as it allows them to repeatedly breach company software at ease.
Among the platforms Microsoft owns are developer platforms GitHub, LinkedIn, and Skype, digital platforms often used by professionals and companies.
Microsoft clarified that it has yet to find evidence "that Microsoft-hosted customer-facing systems have been compromised."
The company is also still determining how much "material impact" the data breach has caused on Microsoft's financial conditions or operations.
Microsoft said its investigations is still ongoing.
Also Read: Microsoft Senior Leaders' Emails Breached by Russian-Backed Hackers
Microsoft Warns of Cyberattacks Ramping Up
The major attack on Microsoft follows the growing trend of cybercriminal groups becoming more aggressive in its attacks.
The company has already alerted the public that cyberattacks are expected to continue to increase as threat actors start integrating AI technology into their operations.
Microsoft even published a study, in collaboration with OpenAI, that several state-sponsored hacking groups have been reported to be using chatbots to infiltrate companies in the US.
Midnight Blizzard is among those named in the bad actors caught attempting to use ChatGPT to launch cyberattacks.
The Russian-backed group is notorious for breaching into several US agencies' digital platforms, including the Homeland Security and Justice departments.
Related Article: State-Backed Hackers are Now Using AI Chatbots for Cyberattacks
US Gov't Cracks Down on Cyberattacks
Amid the rise of cyberattacks over the past months, the US government has been ramping up efforts to prevent more hackers from breaching its critical infrastructure.
Among the steps taken is utilizing AI to improve its protective measures, as well as launching dedicated teams to understand the risks posed by the technology.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation also reported of collaborating with international agencies to shut down platforms used by hackers, albeit at varying degrees of success.
