Lessons and Implications from Operation Pacific Rim

Based on the information from the podcast with Ross McKerchar, the Chief Information Security Officer at Sophos, "Pacific Rim" in the cybersecurity context refers to Operation Pacific Rim, a major, multi-year counter-espionage operation conducted by Sophos against a state-sponsored threat actor.¹

It is important to clarify that this has no connection to the science fiction movie franchise Pacific Rim.

Here is a detailed breakdown of everything known about Operation Pacific Rim based on the discussion:

Executive Summary

Operation Pacific Rim was a proactive cyber defense operation that began in 2020. Instead of simply patching a vulnerability, Sophos used the attack as an opportunity to turn the tables on a sophisticated attacker, gathering intelligence on their methods and infrastructure for nearly five years.

Key Aspects of the Operation

1. The Initial Threat: A Zero-Day Attack

   • In 2020, Sophos discovered that state-sponsored actors were exploiting a zero-day vulnerability (a previously unknown software flaw) on a large scale.²
   • The target of this attack was the firewalls used by Sophos's customers, which are critical perimeter security devices.

2. The Response: Active Defense, Not Just Patching

   • A typical response would be to develop a patch for the vulnerability and urge customers to apply it.
   • Sophos took an unusual and aggressive approach. They treated the compromised firewalls like infected endpoints (like a PC or server).
   • This meant they didn't just fix the hole; they actively went into the compromised devices to detect the attackers' presence and respond to the threat in real-time. This is a strategy known as "active defense" or "threat hunting."

3. The Counter-Espionage: Turning the Tables

   • By actively hunting the attackers within their customers' systems, Sophos was able to identify the attackers' own infrastructure.³
   • In a bold move, Sophos deployed their own implants into the attackers' systems.
   • This allowed Sophos to secretly observe the state-sponsored group's activities for nearly five years, gaining extremely valuable intelligence on their tools, tactics, and procedures (TTPs).

Lessons and Implications from Operation Pacific Rim

• Transparency is Crucial: McKerchar emphasized that Sophos was very transparent about the incident and their response. This was seen as vital for building and maintaining trust with customers and the broader security industry.
• The Perimeter is Back in Focus: The operation highlighted a resurgence of attacks against the network perimeter—internet-facing devices like firewalls and VPNs.⁴ These are high-value targets for both nation-states and ransomware gangs.
• The Future of Defense is Active: Operation Pacific Rim is presented as a model for the future of cybersecurity. It demonstrates the value of treating network devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) with the same sophisticated detection and response capabilities that are used for traditional endpoints like laptops and servers.
• A Shift in Mindset: The operation advocates for moving away from a reactive posture to a proactive one. The goal is not just to build walls, but to actively hunt for threats that have already bypassed them and to learn from the attacker's methods.