Sandworm Book Summary

Sandworm is a book by Andy Greenberg that explores the history and impact of a group of Russian state-sponsored hackers known as Sandworm. The group is responsible for some of the most devastating cyberattacks in history, including the NotPetya malware attack in 2017 that caused billions of dollars in damages.

The book starts by introducing the reader to the world of cyber espionage and the role that nation-states play in it. It explains how the Russian government has been using cyberattacks as a tool for geopolitical power and how Sandworm is at the forefront of this effort.

The book then goes on to describe the first known attack by Sandworm, which was aimed at Ukraine’s power grid in 2015. This attack caused a blackout that left hundreds of thousands of people without power for hours, and it was a clear demonstration of the group’s capabilities.

The book also describes the NotPetya malware attack in 2017, which was arguably the most devastating cyberattack in history. NotPetya spread rapidly across the world, encrypting data on thousands of computers and causing billions of dollars in damages. The book provides a detailed account of how the attack was carried out and the impact it had on businesses and governments around the world.

The book also explores the role that cyberweapons play in modern warfare and the challenges that governments and businesses face in defending against them. It provides a glimpse into the secretive world of cyber intelligence and the tactics that are used to track down and stop cyber attackers.

The author also delves into the political implications of cyberattacks and the ways in which they can be used to destabilize democracies and sow chaos. He explains how cyberattacks can be used as a form of hybrid warfare, which combines conventional military tactics with cyber warfare to achieve strategic objectives.

The book also covers the response to the NotPetya attack, including the efforts by the US and UK governments to publicly attribute the attack to Russia. It describes the challenges that governments face in responding to cyberattacks and the limits of international law in regulating cyber warfare.

The book concludes by discussing the future of cyber warfare and the challenges that lie ahead. It argues that as more countries develop cyber capabilities, the risk of cyber conflict will only increase and that international norms and regulations will need to be developed to prevent catastrophic cyberattacks. Sandworm is a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the world of cyber espionage and the threat posed by state-sponsored hackers like Sandworm. It provides a detailed and insightful look into the tactics and techniques used by these groups and the challenges that governments and businesses face in defending against them. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the world of cyber espionage and the threat posed by state-sponsored hackers.

References

Greenberg, A. (2019). Sandworm: A New Era of Cyberwar and the Hunt for the Kremlin’s Most Dangerous Hackers. Doubleday.