By Roy Richardson, Chief Security Officer, Aurora InfoTech
For just $920, cybercriminals bought their way into a $140 million heist, no malware required.
That’s the chilling reality behind a recent cyberattack targeting six Brazilian banks. The breach, reported by BleepingComputer, didn’t involve sophisticated exploits or ransomware. It began with a $920 bribe paid to an employee of C&M, a financial connectivity provider, in exchange for their login credentials.
This incident is more than a headline; it’s a case study in how human behavior and third-party risk can unravel even the most secure environments.
Insider Threats: When Trust Becomes a Vulnerability
Insider threats represent some of the most difficult Cybersecurity risks to manage. They involve individuals who already have legitimate access to systems and data, making their actions harder to detect and prevent.
In this case, the employee wasn’t tricked or coerced—they were bribed. For less than a thousand dollars, they handed over access that enabled attackers to infiltrate a trusted financial network and orchestrate a massive theft.
As CSO of Aurora InfoTech, I’ve seen how organizations often underestimate the human factor in Cybersecurity. This breach is a textbook example of a malicious insider threat: an employee who intentionally compromises security for personal gain. While less common than accidental threats, malicious insiders can cause disproportionate damage.
The Numbers Behind the Threat
- Insider threats have increased by 44% over the past two years (2024 Ponemon Institute).
- The average cost of an insider-related incident is now $16.2 million (2024 Ponemon Institute).
- 68% of breaches involve a non-malicious human element, such as errors, privilege misuse, and social engineering (2024 Verizon DBIR).
These numbers reflect a troubling trend: cybercriminals are increasingly targeting people, not only systems.
Why Bribery Is a Growing Tactic
Bribery is a low-cost, high-reward tactic. Instead of spending time and resources developing exploits, attackers simply buy access from someone on the inside. This tactic is especially effective in environments where:
- Employees are underpaid or dissatisfied.
- Security awareness is low.
- Monitoring and auditing are minimal.
My insight: Organizations must recognize that financial stress, job dissatisfaction, or lack of awareness can make employees vulnerable to manipulation. Security programs must address these human realities, not just focus on technical vulnerabilities.
Supply Chain Attacks: The Hidden Backdoor
This case is even more alarming because the breach didn’t occur within the banks themselves; it came through a third-party vendor. This is a classic supply chain attack, where attackers exploit vulnerabilities in an organization’s extended network of partners, suppliers, or service providers.
The Growing Concern
- Supply chain attacks surged in 2024, with threats to availability and data integrity among the top concerns (2025 Verizon DBIR).
- 45% of organizations have experienced third-party-related business interruptions in the past two years (2024 Verizon DBIR).
- High-profile breaches like SolarWinds and Kaseya have shown how one compromised vendor can impact thousands.
My recommendation: Organizations must treat third-party access with the same scrutiny as internal access. This includes continuous monitoring, contractual security obligations, and regular assessments.
Tabletop Exercises: Preparing for the Real Thing
One of the most effective ways to prepare for insider and supply chain threats is through tabletop exercises: simulated breach scenarios that test your team’s response in a controlled environment.
These exercises are not technical drills. They’re strategic simulations that bring together IT, security, legal, HR, and executive leadership to walk through:
- How a breach would be detected
- Who would be notified
- What decisions would be made
- How communication would be handled
Why it matters: Tabletop exercises reveal gaps in your incident response plan before a real crisis hits. They help teams build muscle memory, improve coordination, and identify blind spots in both policy and practice.
What Organizations Can Do
This incident is a wake-up call. Here are my recommendations for reducing exposure to insider and supply chain threats:
- Build a Culture of Security
Embed security awareness into your organizational DNA—from the boardroom to the breakroom.
- Implement Insider Threat Programs
Use behavioral analytics, privilege monitoring, and anonymous reporting channels.
- Reassess Third-Party Risk
Map your vendor ecosystem. Identify which vendors have access to sensitive systems or data.
- Limit Access by Design
Apply the principle of least privilege. Use just-in-time access provisioning and revoke credentials immediately when no longer needed.
- Run Tabletop Exercises Regularly
Simulate real-world breach scenarios to test your readiness and refine your response.
Final Thoughts
The fact that a $920 bribe led to a $140 million loss is a sobering illustration of how small actions can have massive consequences. It also reminds us that Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue; it’s a human one.
As CSO of Aurora InfoTech, I believe we must shift our mindset from “if” to “when,” and from “compliance” to “resilience.” That means preparing for the unexpected, questioning assumptions, and continuously evolving our defenses.
Because in today’s threat landscape, the next breach may not come through your front door, it may come through someone else’s.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
If this case has prompted you to reflect on your organization’s readiness, consider starting a conversation with your leadership team. Are your insider threat defenses strong enough? Are your vendors truly secure? When was the last time you ran a tabletop exercise?
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and it starts with awareness.
Need help? Schedule a discovery call to explore how we can support your security goals through our Cyber Liability Management programs and proactive risk mitigation strategies.
