Major Cyber Attacks of 2020: A Year in Review
The year 2020 marked a significant surge in cybersecurity incidents, largely fueled by the rapid shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article examines the most impactful cyber attacks that shaped the cybersecurity landscape during this pivotal year.
Twitter Bitcoin Scam (July 2020)
One of the most high-profile attacks of 2020 occurred when hackers compromised Twitter’s internal systems through a spear-phishing attack via phone. The attackers gained access to prominent accounts, including those of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk, using them to promote a Bitcoin scam that netted approximately $120,000.
Impact:
- 130 high-profile Twitter accounts compromised
- Exposed vulnerabilities in internal security systems
- Resulted in significant changes to Twitter’s security protocols
SolarWinds Supply Chain Attack (December 2020)
The SolarWinds breach was one of the most sophisticated cyber attacks of 2020. Attackers inserted malicious code into SolarWinds’ Orion software updates, creating a backdoor into the systems of several U.S. federal agencies, including the Treasury and Commerce Departments, as well as numerous corporations.
Impact:
- Affected approximately 18,000 organizations through compromised updates.
- Led to significant espionage operations against U.S. government agencies.
- Caused estimated damages in the billions of dollars.
Marriott Data Breach (March 2020)
The hotel chain suffered its second major data breach in two years, affecting 5.2 million guests. The attack began in January 2020 when attackers used compromised employee credentials to access customer information.
Impact:
- 5.2 million guest records exposed
- Compromised personal information, including names, addresses, and loyalty account details.
- Did not involve direct exposure of financial or payment data.
- Resulted in multiple class-action lawsuits
Universal Health Services Ransomware Attack (September 2020)
One of the largest ransomware attacks on the healthcare sector, Universal Health Services (UHS) was hit by the Ryuk ransomware, forcing the shutdown of systems across 400 locations.
Impact:
- Disrupted healthcare services at 400 facilities.
- Forced medical staff to rely on paper records for nearly three weeks.
- Estimated financial impact of $67 million.
- Delayed patient care, raising serious health concerns.
FireEye Security Tools Theft (December 2020)
Leading cybersecurity firm FireEye disclosed that state-sponsored hackers had stolen their Red Team assessment tools, marking a significant breach in the cybersecurity industry itself.
Impact:
- Theft of proprietary security testing tools
- Forced release of countermeasures to protect against stolen tools
- Led to the discovery of the broader SolarWinds attack
Key Lessons Learned
- Supply Chain Vulnerability: The SolarWinds attack highlighted the critical importance of securing software supply chains.
- Remote Work Risks: The rapid shift to remote work created new security challenges and attack vectors.
- Healthcare Targeting: The healthcare sector became an increasingly attractive target during the pandemic.
- Social Engineering: Human factors remained a critical vulnerability, as demonstrated by the Twitter attack.
Preventive Measures for Organizations
- Implement robust multi-factor authentication
- Regularly update security protocols and software
- Conduct frequent security awareness training
- Maintain comprehensive incident response plans
- Employ zero-trust security architecture
Sources and Further Reading
CISA Alert (AA20-352A): Advanced Persistent Threat Compromise of Government Agencies
- FireEye Security Advisory (December 2020)
- Twitter Security Incident Report (July 2020)
- Marriott International Data Security Incident (March 2020)
- Universal Health Services 10-K SEC Filing (2021)
About CDA
CDA provides comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to help organizations protect against similar threats. Contact our team to learn more about our security services and how we can help protect your organization.
Last updated: February 17, 2025