CrowdStrike Timeline: A Chronology of the Most Significant Events

CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity firm, has been at the forefront of high-profile investigations and incident response efforts. From the 2016 US Presidential Election to the 2020 SolarWinds breach, CrowdStrike has played a crucial role in uncovering and mitigating the impact of some of the most devastating cyberattacks in history. In this article, we’ll delve into the company’s timeline, highlighting the most significant events that have defined its legacy.

March 2016: The DNC Hack

It began with a series of attacks on the Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails, which allegedly stole sensitive information and left the organization’s servers compromised. CrowdStrike, hired by the DNC, quickly identified the attackers as Russian-speaking hackers, marking the first major instance of Russian cyber-meddling.

June 2016: The Clinton Campaign Hack

In June 2016, the email account of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign chairman, John Podesta, was compromised. CrowdStrike was again entrusted to investigate and identify the attackers, who were once more found to be Russian-speaking hackers.

October 2016: The FBI-Ukraine Connection

As the election heated up, the FBI launched an investigation into the DNC hack, seeking Ukraine’s assistance in uncovering the truth. CrowdStrike, with its extensive expertise in Eastern European cybercrime, helped facilitate this collaboration and shared intelligence with the Ukrainian authorities.

December 2016: The Georgia Cyberattack

In December 2016, Georgia suffered a major cyberattack, which crippled the country’s infrastructure and crippled its election systems. CrowdStrike was called in to assist with the investigation, revealing that the attack was likely carried out by Russian-speaking hackers, possibly linked to the same group responsible for the DNC hack.

2017: The Russia Probe

The US Congress, concerned about Russian interference in the election, launched an investigation into alleged obstruction of justice by the Trump campaign. CrowdStrike played a crucial role in providing evidence of the Russian cyber-attacks, which helped inform the investigation’s findings.

June 2017: The Russia Report

The Senate Intelligence Committee released its highly anticipated report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, which relied heavily on CrowdStrike’s findings. The report concluded that the Russian Government had indeed attempted to influence the outcome of the election.

2018: The Fancy Bear Investigation

In 2018, CrowdStrike, along with other US and international cybersecurity firms, launched an investigation into the Fancy Bear hacking group. The group, linked to Russian intelligence services, was found to be responsible for numerous high-profile breaches, including those at the US Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

June 2020: The SolarWinds Breach

In June 2020, SolarWinds, a major US software company, suffered a devastating cyberattack, which compromised its network and left many high-profile organizations, including the US Government, vulnerable to further attacks. CrowdStrike was called in to assist with the investigation and response efforts.

Timeline Summary

• 2016: The DNC Hack and the Clinton Campaign Hack, marking CrowdStrike’s first major involvement in high-profile cyber incidents.
• 2016-2017: The FBI-Ukraine Connection and the Georgia Cyberattack, solidifying CrowdStrike’s reputation as a leader in Eastern European cybercrime investigations.
• 2017: The Russia Probe and the Russia Report, cementing CrowdStrike’s role in uncovering Russian interference in the 2016 election.
• 2018: The Fancy Bear Investigation, highlighting CrowdStrike’s expertise in tracking down and dismantling sophisticated hacking groups.
• 2020: The SolarWinds Breach, showcasing CrowdStrike’s ability to respond to and mitigate the impact of complex cyberattacks.

As the world continues to grapple with the growing threat of cybercrime, CrowdStrike remains at the forefront of incident response and forensic analysis. The company’s tireless efforts have saved countless organizations from the consequences of cyberattacks, earning it a reputation as one of the most trusted and respected names in cybersecurity.