North Korea's New Hacking Unit: Research Center 227
Reports indicate that North Korea is bolstering its cyber warfare capabilities with the creation of a new hacking group, "Research Center 227," operating under the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), its primary intelligence agency. According to Daily NK, this unit's primary focus will be on developing cutting-edge offensive hacking technologies.
Focus on Offensive Capabilities and AI
Research Center 227 will reportedly dedicate itself to studying Western cybersecurity systems and computer networks. This research aims to enhance North Korea's ability to steal digital assets and develop AI-driven techniques for information theft. The unit will also be tasked with analyzing and responding to information gathered from North Korean hacking operations abroad.
This move aligns with North Korea's history of cyberattacks, particularly targeting cryptocurrency exchanges. The regime has been implicated in numerous high-profile digital heists, including the recent $1.4 billion hack of Bybit. US agencies like the NSA and FBI have long accused the RGB of engaging in hacking and espionage.
Source: TechCrunch