Group-IB explained

Group-IB is a cybersecurity company founded in 2003 in Moscow. In 2023, it split into two companies with a branch remaining in Moscow branded F.A.C.C.T. Group-IB and a branch in Singapore.^[1]

History

Group-IB was founded in 2003 by Ilya Sachkov and Dmitry Volkov in Russia. The company moved to Singapore in 2019.^[2] In July 2020, it received funding from the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore through venture capital firm TNB Ventures.^[3]

It cooperated with Guardia di Finanza (GdF) as part of the operation No-vax free in 2021 to identify criminals trading in fake COVID-19 green passes.^[4]

In September 2021, Ilya Sachkov, its co-founder and CEO, was detained by Russian authorities for treason.^[5] He was sentenced to 14 years in prison.^[6] The Russian and international business were later split with the business sold in April 2023 to Russian management to be branded FACCT.^{[7] [8]} FACCT would market Group-IB products and services while being a separate entity allowing Group-IB to not directly have a presence.^[9] Ilya Sachkov maintains his involvement in the Russian business.^[10]

In 2022, the firm worked with the Dutch police in an operation to apprehend alleged members of a phishing group.^{[11] [12]} In 2023, the company split with a headquarters in Singapore and in Moscow. In December 2023, the Moscow office discovered that a hacking group was targeting Russian companies with a war-related phishing attack.^[13]

Group-IB signed a MoU with AFRIPOL to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities in 2024 and extended their strategic partnership with Interpol at INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore.^{[14] [15] [16]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Page . Carly . 2023-11-01 . With its exit from Russia complete, Group-IB plans its US expansion . 2024-11-21 . TechCrunch . en-US.
2. Web site: Russian cyber titan Group-IB makes Singapore home . 2024-03-10 . Channel Asia . en-US.
3. Web site: Desk . AIT News . 2020-07-30 . Group-IB Receives Funding from CSA . 2024-03-10 . AiThority . en-US.
4. Web site: Redazione . 2023-04-20 . Group-IB lascia il mercato russo e continua lotta a cyber crime . 2024-03-10 . CyberSecurity Italia . it-IT.
5. News: 2021-09-29 . Russia detains cyber-security tycoon Ilya Sachkov in treason case . 2024-03-10 . en-GB.
6. Web site: Russian cybersecurity chief jailed for 14 years for treason . 2024-03-10 . Al Jazeera . en.
7. News: July 6, 2022 . Cyber firm Group-IB to split Russian, international businesses . Reuters.
8. News: Marrow . Alexander . April 20, 2023 . Cyber firm Group-IB finalizes Russia split to spur global ambitions . Reuters.
9. https://www.theregister.com/2023/06/29/russian_facct_employee_extradiation/
10. Web site: F.A.S.S.T. created the Cybersecurity Center . 2024-11-21 . TAdviser.ru.
11. Web site: Starks . Tim . 2021-07-23 . Dutch police bust alleged 'Fraud Family' phishing service members . 2024-03-10 . CyberScoop . en-US.
12. Web site: Paganini . Pierluigi . 2021-07-22 . Group-IB helps Dutch police identify members of phishing developer gang Fraud Family . 2024-03-10 . Security Affairs . en-US.
13. Web site: Cyber-espionage group Cloud Atlas targets Russian companies with war-related phishing attacks . 2024-11-21 . therecord.media . en.
14. News: 2024-02-23 . INTERPOL and Group-IB extend strategic partnership to combat cybercrime worldwide - Defence & Security Middle East . 2024-03-28 . Defence & Security Middle East . en-US.
15. Web site: 2024-02-20 . Cooperation AFRIPOL-GROUP IB to enhance cybersecurity across Africa - The AFRICAN Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation . 2024-03-28 . en-US.
16. News: 2024-02-21 . AFRIPOL signs MoU with Group-IB to focus on cybersecurity - Edge Middle East . 2024-03-28 . Edge Middle East . en-US.