| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident has happened again at Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI). This incident involving ransomware disrupting office and operational networks is not the first time Sinclair has faced a cybersecurity issue. The article mentions a previous incident where Sinclair was hit by a ransomware attack, leading to encrypted servers and workstations [120525, 120066].
(b) The software failure incident has also occurred at other organizations. The article mentions previous incidents at Australia's 9 News network and local stations owned by the Cox Media Group in the US, where cyberattacks disrupted live broadcasts. This indicates that similar incidents have happened at multiple organizations in the media industry [120525]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
operation |
(a) The software failure incident at Sinclair Broadcast Group was primarily due to a ransomware attack that encrypted certain servers and workstations in its environment [120525, 120066]. This incident was a result of external factors introduced by malicious actors targeting the company's systems, rather than internal design flaws or system updates.
(b) The operation of Sinclair's business, including the provision of local advertisements by its broadcast stations, was disrupted as a result of the ransomware attack [120525]. The attack impacted the day-to-day operations of the company, such as impeding the production of local newscasts, causing a loss of access to essential tools like email, phones, file video, and graphics, and hindering the ability to broadcast live programming. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident at Sinclair Broadcast Group was caused by ransomware that encrypted certain servers and workstations within the company's environment [120525, 120066]. The ransomware attack disrupted office and operational networks, impeding the production of local newscasts and causing disruptions to the company's provision of local advertisements [120525]. The incident also involved the theft of data from Sinclair's network, indicating that the failure originated from within the system [120525].
(b) outside_system: The ransomware attack on Sinclair Broadcast Group was initiated by unidentified hackers who infiltrated the company's network from outside sources [120525]. The hackers encrypted servers and workstations, leading to disruptions in the company's operations and causing widespread ripple effects [120525]. Additionally, the incident involved notifying law enforcement and US government agencies, suggesting external involvement in the failure [120525]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident at Sinclair Broadcast Group was caused by a ransomware attack, which is a type of non-human action. The ransomware encrypted servers and workstations in the company's environment, disrupting office and operational networks [120525, 120066]. The attack led to disruptions in the company's provision of local advertisements and production of local newscasts, impacting various aspects of Sinclair's business operations [120525].
(b) Human actions were also involved in the response to the incident. Sinclair executives prohibited employees from speaking with outside media about the matter, indicating a human decision to control communication regarding the ransomware attack [120525]. Additionally, Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley fielded questions from staffers during a town hall meeting but had limited concrete information to share, highlighting the human aspect of managing the aftermath of the software failure incident [120525]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The software failure incident at Sinclair Broadcast Group was primarily due to a ransomware attack, which is a type of cyberattack that involves malicious software encrypting computer networks until a ransom is paid [120525, 120066]. This incident was not caused by hardware failure but rather by external factors related to cybersecurity threats originating in software.
(b) The software failure incident at Sinclair Broadcast Group was caused by ransomware encrypting servers and workstations, disrupting office and operational networks [120525, 120066]. This failure originated in software, specifically the malicious ransomware software that infiltrated the company's systems. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident reported in the news articles is malicious in nature. It was caused by a ransomware attack on Sinclair Broadcast Group's servers and workstations, where certain servers and workstations were encrypted with ransomware by unidentified hackers [Article 120525, Article 120066]. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that locks computer networks until victims pay a fee, and in this case, the hackers also stole data from Sinclair's network. The incident disrupted the company's office and operational networks, leading to disruptions in the provision of local advertisements and production of local newscasts [Article 120525]. The ransomware attack was aimed at causing harm and disruption to Sinclair's operations. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions |
(a) The software failure incident at Sinclair Broadcast Group was due to poor decisions made by the hackers who introduced ransomware into the company's networks. The ransomware attack encrypted servers and workstations, causing disruption to office and operational networks [120525, 120066]. The hackers also stole data from Sinclair's network, leading to further complications and uncertainty about the extent of the impact on the company's operations [120525]. The incident highlights the consequences of poor decisions made by cybercriminals targeting organizations for financial gain. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
unknown |
(a) The software failure incident at Sinclair Broadcast Group was due to a ransomware attack, where certain servers and workstations were encrypted with ransomware, disrupting office and operational networks [120525, 120066]. This incident was a result of malicious actions by unidentified hackers who stole data from Sinclair's network, leading to disruption in various aspects of the company's business operations, including the provision of local advertisements by its broadcast stations [120525].
(b) The ransomware attack on Sinclair's network was not accidental but a deliberate act by hackers who encrypted the company's servers and workstations, indicating a malicious intent rather than an accidental introduction of contributing factors [120525, 120066]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident reported in the news articles is temporary. The incident involved a ransomware attack on Sinclair Broadcast Group's servers and workstations, causing disruption to its office and operational networks [120525, 120066]. The company is actively investigating the impact of the ransomware, notifying law enforcement and government agencies, and working to restore operations quickly and securely. The disruption impeded the production of local newscasts, with some stations struggling to produce newscasts without necessary software tools. Despite the disruption, Sinclair's stations are still on the air, showing national and syndicated programming, while local live programming like newscasts has been largely hindered. Employees were still instructed to broadcast if possible, indicating a temporary nature of the incident. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident reported in the articles can be categorized as a crash. The ransomware attack on Sinclair Broadcast Group's servers and workstations caused disruption to the company's business operations, including the production of local newscasts, email, phones, file video, graphics, and other essential functions. The incident led to a loss of state and prevented the system from performing its intended functions [120525, 120066].
(b) omission: The software failure incident also involved omission as a behavior. Staffers at some TV stations mentioned that the disruption impeded the production of local newscasts throughout the day on Sunday and Monday. They reported not having access to email, phones, file video, graphics, or other necessary tools for their work, indicating that the system omitted to perform its intended functions at those instances [120525].
(c) timing: The timing of the software failure incident was not explicitly mentioned in the articles.
(d) value: The software failure incident did not involve the system performing its intended functions incorrectly.
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident did not exhibit behaviors of the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The software failure incident also included the behavior of preventing employees from accessing company emails or any system that required a company login, further illustrating the impact of the crash on the system's functionality [120525]. |