North Korean computer hackers were behind a multimillion-dollar heist targeting Bangladesh’s central bank last year.Computer hackers attempted to steal US$951 million, but only got away with US$81 million, some of which was later recovered. After the theft, security firms quickly pointed the finger at North Korea. Other experts disputed that finding. But on Tuesday, NSA deputy director Rick Ledgett appeared to suggest North Korea was the culprit during a cryptic exchange at a Washington forum.
Speaking at an Aspen Institute roundtable, Ledgett pointed out that private sector researchers had linked the digital break-in in Bangladesh to the 2014 hack on Sony Pictures, which the US government attributed to Pyongyang.
"If that linkage from the Sony actors to the Bangladeshi bank actors is accurate ‐ that means that a nation state is robbing banks," Ledgett said. "That’s a big deal."
The moderator of the event, John Carlin, a former assistant attorney general for national security, quickly followed up: "Do you believe that there are nation states now robbing banks?"
If that linkage from the Sony actors to the Bangladeshi bank actors is accurate ‐ that means that a nation state is robbing banks. That’s a big dealNSA DEPUTY DIRECTOR RICK LEDGETT
Ledgett offered a simple answer: "I do."
While the NSA, America’s premier spy agency, has far greater insight into North Korean cyber operations than private security firms, Ledgett’s remarks studiously avoided any reference to what evidence the agency has collected on the Bangladeshi heist. They stopped short of an official US government statement that North Korea was behind the attack.
But Ledgett, a 30-year veteran of the agency due to retire later this year, would be unlikely to lend his credibility to reports that do not match his agency’s findings.
"I think the public case was well-made," Ledgett said.
The NSA declined to comment beyond Ledgett’s public remarks.