Amid a nationwide strike by South Korean doctors that has stretched on for more than six months, tensions have escalated as a list of doctors who have returned to work was recently circulated online, sparking concern over doxing and potential threats to those breaking ranks.
Initially uploaded to the file-sharing website Pastebin on August 9, the list reveals personal information of approximately 800 doctors, including their names, the universities they attended, and the hospitals where they currently work.
The individual responsible for the doxing stated in their post, “I would like to inform people of the great doctors who are determined to perform medical treatment in this sick world.” The comment—rife with sarcasm—was clearly targeted against doctors who have chosen not to participate in the strike.
The perpetrator further pressured doctors named on the list to submit more information about their colleagues who have also returned to work. “For those of you included in the list, you can be removed if you report an additional 50 doctors to me,” the anonymous individual threatened.
The latest list is an updated version of a previous file titled “Genuine Doctors’ List.” This list was circulated through medical professionals’ communities and Telegram channels. In June, two doctors who had mocked those returning to work as “genuine doctors” and “government collaborators” in online communities—while sharing their personal information—were arrested for obstructing work and violating personal information protection laws.
The Cybercrime Investigation Unit at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is probing the latest case after a request from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Although the original post on Pastebin was taken down, copies of the list continue to circulate through online communities.
The Yoon Suk-yeol administration has taken a firm stance on its medical reform plans, which include expanding the admission quota for medical schools by 2,000 seats starting next year. In response, doctors opposed to the plan launched a strike on February 19, resigning from their positions at hospitals.
Related article: Three standout vendors at Black Hat 2024: BlackCloak, Upwind, and Binary Defense
Las Vegas, NV―Black Hat 2024―The Readable spoke with entrepreneurs, IT professionals, and analysts at Black Hat 2024 to explore their efforts in enhancing global cybersecurity. In this article, we spotlight three vendors who stood out during our recent conversations. As a cybersecurity journalist, I selected these vendors based solely on their innovative contributions, without any sponsorship. This article aims to serve as a roadmap for our readers to discover the latest trends in cybersecurity, directly from the experts. Enjoy the read!
BlackCloak
Keyword: Concierge cybersecurity & privacy platform
BlackCloak is a leading provider of digital executive protection, specializing in safeguarding corporate executives and their families in their personal lives. The company offers comprehensive protection by enhancing privacy measures to reduce attack surfaces, securing personal devices through ongoing monitoring, and conducting weekly internal and external tests to fortify home networks. Additionally, BlackCloak provides real-time support for cybersecurity and privacy issues, including incident response. Chris Pierson, CEO of BlackCloak, explained to The Readable, “People receive phishing emails and calls. They need someone live and real-time to help, or an incident response team. We provide that, as well as other support.”
The company’s PR agency likens their services to “cyber-bodyguards.” With criminal hackers increasingly targeting high-profile individuals such as executives, elected officials, judges, and entertainment figures, the need for robust protection has grown. These attacks range from credential theft and Business Email Compromise (BEC) to more severe threats like doxing, cyber extortion (including sextortion), swatting, and threats of physical violence against family members. The agency explained that this rising threat has created a significant demand for around-the-clock digital executive protection services among large enterprises, Hollywood, and public officials. They attribute the increased urgency to the weaponization of data broker information, the growing use of physical threats and intimidation, and the broader impact on corporate and public sector cybersecurity, from elections to the courts. READ MORE
