Singapore cyber security company put on US blacklist
Singapore-based cyber-security company Computer Security Initiative Consultancy, or Coseinc, has been blacklisted by the US Department of Commerce for allegedly selling hacking tools to unnamed entities that the department says were used against individuals and organisations worldwide, The Straits Times wrote in a November 4 report.
The official reason was that the company stands accused of “malicious cyber activities” and was added to the blacklist together with three other companies, namely Israeli spyware companies NSO Group and Candiru, as well as Russia-based Positive Technologies.
Coseinc has allegedly been involved in contributing to the development and supply of the “Pegasus” spyware originally created by NSO Group. The software has been designed with features that allow covert installation of spyware on mobile phones running on iOS and Android and the reading of text messages, tracking of calls, collecting of passwords, tracking a phone owner’s location, accessing the target device’s microphone and camera, as well as harvesting information from apps.
Spyware against government officials, journalists and activists
The uncovering of the Pegasus spyware sparked global outrage after it was found to have been used against government officials, journalists and activists internationally without the targeted individuals having any knowledge of what they were exposed to.
A press statement by the US Department of Commerce released on November 3 said Coseinc was blacklisted because it had “trafficked in cyber hacking tools,” without providing information about the nature of the tools.
Coseinc on its webpage describes itself as a private funded company providing “highly specialised information security services” to clients since its foundation in 2004. The company says it focuses on the three verticals of cyber security research, consulting and education and operates two main divisions, an “advanced malware lab” and a “vulnerability research lab.”
Programming talent sought
In a recruitment sector on its website, the company is currently looking for computer and programming talent including mobile security researchers whose job specifications would include “solid understanding” of the iOS/Android security models, how they are implemented and “how they can be bypassed.”
The sanctions imposed on Coseinc are expected to significantly impact its ability to do business with US entities, the report said.
[caption id="attachment_37756" align="alignleft" width="300"] Coseinc provides cyber security consulting and research from its headquarters in Singapore's southern Pasir Panjang district (pictured right).[/caption] Singapore-based cyber-security company Computer Security Initiative Consultancy, or Coseinc, has been blacklisted by the US Department of Commerce for allegedly selling hacking tools to unnamed entities that the department says were used against individuals and organisations worldwide, The Straits Times wrote in a November 4 report. The official reason was that the company stands accused of “malicious cyber activities” and was added to the blacklist together with three other companies, namely Israeli spyware companies NSO Group and Candiru,...
Singapore-based cyber-security company Computer Security Initiative Consultancy, or Coseinc, has been blacklisted by the US Department of Commerce for allegedly selling hacking tools to unnamed entities that the department says were used against individuals and organisations worldwide, The Straits Times wrote in a November 4 report.
The official reason was that the company stands accused of “malicious cyber activities” and was added to the blacklist together with three other companies, namely Israeli spyware companies NSO Group and Candiru, as well as Russia-based Positive Technologies.
Coseinc has allegedly been involved in contributing to the development and supply of the “Pegasus” spyware originally created by NSO Group. The software has been designed with features that allow covert installation of spyware on mobile phones running on iOS and Android and the reading of text messages, tracking of calls, collecting of passwords, tracking a phone owner’s location, accessing the target device’s microphone and camera, as well as harvesting information from apps.
Spyware against government officials, journalists and activists
The uncovering of the Pegasus spyware sparked global outrage after it was found to have been used against government officials, journalists and activists internationally without the targeted individuals having any knowledge of what they were exposed to.
A press statement by the US Department of Commerce released on November 3 said Coseinc was blacklisted because it had “trafficked in cyber hacking tools,” without providing information about the nature of the tools.
Coseinc on its webpage describes itself as a private funded company providing “highly specialised information security services” to clients since its foundation in 2004. The company says it focuses on the three verticals of cyber security research, consulting and education and operates two main divisions, an “advanced malware lab” and a “vulnerability research lab.”
Programming talent sought
In a recruitment sector on its website, the company is currently looking for computer and programming talent including mobile security researchers whose job specifications would include “solid understanding” of the iOS/Android security models, how they are implemented and “how they can be bypassed.”
The sanctions imposed on Coseinc are expected to significantly impact its ability to do business with US entities, the report said.
