Cybersecurity Report: Saudi Aramco Cyber-Attack Case Study Analysis

This report provides an analysis of the cyber-attack on Saudi Aramco, a major oil company. The report details the nature of the attack, which involved the Shamoon virus, and the resulting damage to the company's computer systems. It explores the organizational response, including the implementation of new cybersecurity measures and recruitment of IT professionals. The report also examines the financial costs associated with the attack, its impact on the company's operations, and the initiatives undertaken to prevent future attacks. The report concludes with recommendations for enhancing cybersecurity, such as employee training, firewall implementation, and securing critical infrastructure. This case study offers valuable insights into the challenges and strategies involved in managing cyber threats in large organizations and business development.

CYBER-ATTACK IN ORGANIZATIONS
Cyber-attack in organizations
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1CYBER-ATTACK IN ORGANIZATIONS
Introduction of Organization
As compared to the cause of cyber-attack in the region of Saudi Arabia, one of the
biggest cyber-attack was caused in the organization named Saudi Aramco, which is considered
to be an oil company (Perlroth & Krauss, 2018). It is a natural gas and national petroleum
company in Saudi Arabia which is based on Dhahran. It is considered to be one of the most
profitable company in the world with strong revenue.
Type of cyber-attack caused
The key cyber-attack caused in the organization was related to shamoon virus, which
completely damaged 30000 computers of the company where the key target was related to the
part of stopping gas and oil product within the organization.
Organizational Response
 The key initiative adopted by the organization was effectively strengthening their IT
operations through recruiting new employees
 They adopted the strategy of bringing new and innovative technology with strong
implementation of cyber-security to prevent cyber-attacks in future.
Impacts caused to the business
 The first and foremost part of negative impact is where almost 30000 computers with key
major application of the company was damaged and was hacked on a complete basis.
 This also drastically affected their export functioning which slowed their profitability and
lead to decline in the market share of the organization (Alshathry, 2016).

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Cost associated with the attack
The actual cost associated with the attack in Saudi Aramco is 9.5 million as per the actual
records demonstrated by CNNMoney.
Initiatives for future
The first and foremost mode of initiative adopted by the company was associated with the
part of changing their current recruitment strategies in order to introduce effective and innovative
IT technicians to undertake the organizational operation for the future.
The other part is associated with investing more on the side of introducing new and
advanced technology with adaptive cyber security programs to prevent attacks in the future.
Recommendations
 It is important in the part of offering training and development programs for the
employees regarding the principles based on cyber security.
 The other part can be in order to prevent attacks in future, the best part can be fixing a
firewall to the organization’s internet connection.
The IT department must take core initiative in the part of securing central civilian
networks, fixing cyber space and implementing innovative mode of critical infrastructure
system within the organization.

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References
Perlroth, N., & Krauss, C. (2018). A cyberattack in Saudi Arabia had a deadly goal. Experts fear
another try. New York Times, 15.
Alshathry, S. (2016). Cyber attack on saudi aramco. International Journal of
Management, 11(5).