
Following the recent ransomware attack on one US media group, Quantums Eric Bassier explains why broadcasters are being targeted, and how they can safeguard themselves against such threats
By Jenny Priestley
Published: June 10, 2021
Following the recent ransomware attack on one US media group, Quantum's Eric Bassier explains why broadcasters are being targeted, and how they can safeguard themselves against such threats
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>
So far during 2021 two broadcasters have been hit by cyber attacks: Nine Network in Australia and Cox Media Group in the United States.
Of course, those are the two we know about. There could very possibly be others.
When a broadcaster is hit by a ransomware attack it can cause all kinds of disruption: newsrooms go offline, internal computer systems go down, streaming services can be impacted, and as broadcasters move towards a more IP-centric workflow a cyber attack could be devastating.
After the infamous Sony malware attack in 2014, when hackers released details of Sony Pictures' employee details, film scripts and even unreleased films, many broadcasters took note and increased their own internal firewalls.
So, why are broadcasters suddenly under attack, and why now? According to Eric Bassier, senior director, product marketing at Quantum, it's all about money. Broadcasters have found new ways to secure profits from their programmes, he tells TVBEurope. This includes new forms of PPVs, new DVR services, in-content shopping, and live large-scale events, which draw in more viewers and profits. With this influx of money, it's no wonder that cyber criminals are knocking at the door wanting a piece of the pie.
He cites major events such as the Super Bowl and UEFA Champions League as potential targets. With that many people involved in a project, spread across the globe and across different networks and systems, it's natural for threat actors to take advantage of a backdoor attack. It only takes one weak link for the protective chain to break, and by then they've gained root access to the network and can initiate a denial of service.
Public recognition is also a key motivation. Successfully penetrating a broadcaster's network is akin to gaining the keys to the public eye' and forcing your hand, continues Bassier. News, sports, popular TV shows these programmes draw in eyeballs, and there's no better negotiating tactic than laying out your cards in front of millions of others, who now may not be able to watch these shows live. This puts all the risk back onto the broadcaster, who now must contend with public/industry opinion, reduced credibility, damaged reputation, and loss of time and money.
So the question is, what can broadcasters do to secure themselves against such attacks? Bassier stresses the need to be proactive, not reactive. One way is through the tried tested backup rule of 3-2-1-1, which means: 3 copies of your data, 2 different media types, one offsite, and one offline. he explains. The third point is behavioural, and it starts at the top by re-setting policies to get back online. A modern technology solution should also provide data immutability' to protect and recover your assets in the case of a breach and secure your data with a multi-layer technology approach. Remember, a virus cannot bypass a physical barrier formed between your data and the network. It is and will continue to be the most cost-effective form of ransomware protection.
Bassier offers some practical tips to broadcasters or those working within a broadcasting system/network, on how they can take reduce the probability of a major shut down and the exfiltration of data:
Ensure data won't be compromised if a hack occurs
Look at your backup strategy holistically across your entire environment
Ensure you can recover; test, test, test your recovery method
As soon as data fulfils its value in fast disk, tier it off to a cold data solution
Think differently: Consider a multi-layer approach to protect and recover backups
Prevent a hack before it happens
Understand your risk profile and threat landscape
Identify network entry and exit points
Reduce the attack footprint/surface
Harden your systems (shut down the nice' to haves)
Disable services like RDP (gateways, ports)
Boost awareness of social engineering tactics and defences
Review your cyber-hygiene
Update software regularly
Backup regularly
Regular scan for vulnerabilities
Remediate your findings
US media group hit by ransomware attack
Australia's busiest newsroom abandoned due to suspected cyber attack
data-src=https://www.tvbeurope.com/wp-content/themes/tvbeurope/library/images/tvbe-subs.jpg width=729 height=90>
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
20/04/2026
At the 2026 NAB Show, Sony is showcasing a broad slate of innovations across liv...
20/04/2026
At the 2026 NAB Show, Canon is doubling down on its commitment to live sports pr...
20/04/2026
Fujifilm is sharpening its focus on core broadcast production with a new wave of...
20/04/2026
This upcoming summer in North America is going to be a busy one. The 2026 FIFA M...
20/04/2026
Glookast (Booth W1661) announced a series of product updates at NAB Show 2026, c...
20/04/2026
Matrox Video and Amagi announced a collaboration to integrate the Matrox ORIGIN ...
20/04/2026
Riedel Communications (Booth C4908) announced that the Asociaci n del F tbol Arg...
20/04/2026
Ikegami (Booth C3819) announced the VFE-P07D monocular OLED viewfinder at NAB Sh...
20/04/2026
International Association of MediaTech (IAMT), formerly known as IABM, announced...
20/04/2026
Harmonic (Booth W2831) announced that DIRECTV is updating its US direct-to-home (DTH) video platform using Harmonic's VOS Media Software.
The deployment is...
20/04/2026
Wasabi Technologies announced that it has acquired the Lyve Cloud business from Seagate Technology. As part of the agreement, Seagate received equity in Wasabi ...
20/04/2026
EVS (Booth N1841) has launched Choreon, a robotics controller for media producti...
20/04/2026
The NAB Show is in full swing, and the SVG and SVG Europe editorial teams are chasing down the hottest stories from all over the Las Vegas Convention Center. He...
20/04/2026
Skyline Communications announced the availability of its DataMiner xOps platform...
20/04/2026
Studio Network Solutions (Booth N1129) introduced a set of new products at NAB S...
20/04/2026
Dell Technologies is showcasing its Dell AI Data Platform with NVIDIA at NAB Sho...
20/04/2026
Blackmagic Design has announced Fairlight Live, a software-based live audio mixer with SMPTE 2110 support and spatial audio mixing. A public beta is available n...
20/04/2026
At the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas, Imagine Communications VP of Sales, Sports an...
20/04/2026
At the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas, LiveU Senior Director of Sales, Sports Philli...
20/04/2026
A song that perfectly captures a moment is magic. But when you uncover the story behind it, who made it, what inspired it, and the meaning woven into the lyrics...
20/04/2026
Ultra-compact 32-bit recorder set for launch
Deity Microphones will soon be launching a new 32-bit six-track recorder that's been designed with producti...
20/04/2026
Uncoming lightweight shotgun mic announced
Production-sound experts Lectrosonics have recently announced the upcoming launch of a new lightweight shotgun mi...
20/04/2026
New 20-minute documentary explores iconic preamp
In 2025, Focusrite commissioned a new short-form documentary with filmmaker Chris Mayes-Wright - the direct...
20/04/2026
Turn quick sketches into real drum grooves
Sampleson have been experimenting with assitive production tools recently, and their latest creation aims to make...
20/04/2026
Rohde & Schwarz rolls out its full ARDRONIS counter UAS suite in a demonstration...
20/04/2026
L3Harris delivers integrated communications, navigation and C4ISR capabilities that empower the U.S. Coast Guard to protect Americas maritime interests and resp...
20/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/04/2026
CueScript and Lighting Design Group Expand Customer Opportunities
Through New Partnership
Find both companies at 2026 NAB Show in CueScript Booth # C 4720
...
20/04/2026
[Sydney, NSW, 20 April 2026] - Layercake, the company behind the intelligent media orchestration platform Streamcake, today announced the formalisation of its i...
20/04/2026
Deployment spans FOX Sports' REMI infrastructure, IP production for a major global soccer event, and its Jewel Events production systems
Appear, a global l...
20/04/2026
Pro Sound Effects Launches the Industry's First and Only Native Sound Effect...
20/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/04/2026
Blackmagic Design Announces Blackmagic Camera for iOS 3.3 Update
Brie Clayton April 20, 2026
0 Comments
New update adds camera control and monitoring ...
20/04/2026
Maxon Announces Free Tools and Mobile Expansion of ZBrush and Cinema 4D
Brie Clayton April 20, 2026
0 Comments
Cinema 4D brings professional 3D workfl...
20/04/2026
Vizrt AI Keyer kills the green screen and creates virtual scenes in any environm...
20/04/2026
Register now - Market & Audience Department Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 11 February 2026
Screen Australia Head of Market & Audience Rakel Tansley
Talking to...