In recent weeks, two cyberattacks in particular have filled the headlines: an internet shutdown at major UK train stations and the MoneyGram hack.

Both incidents demonstrate a worrying trend in the cyber threat landscape—hackers are increasingly targeting services that millions of people rely on, from transportation networks to financial systems.

But why have the media focused on these two attacks in particular? And what makes these sectors so attractive to cybercriminals?

A Closer Look

On September 27, 2024, WiFi services at numerous major train stations across the UK were abruptly shut down in a targeted cyberattack. The incident affected stations in London, Manchester, and Birmingham, leaving tens of thousands of commuters without internet access. The outage not only inconvenienced travellers but also disrupted critical station operations, including ticketing systems and passenger information displays.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the attackers gained access via an unpatched vulnerability in the routers and backend systems, allowing them to launch a DDoS attack. While no hacker group has officially claimed responsibility, cybersecurity experts have pointed to signs consistent with tactics used by Killnet, a pro-Russian hacker collective known for launching DDoS attacks on European infrastructure. The group has previously targeted airports and government websites in retaliation for Western support of Ukraine.

Just two days earlier, MoneyGram announced that it had been the victim of a large-scale cyberattack, compromising millions of transactions across its platform. As one of the largest money transfer services globally, MoneyGram processes billions of dollars annually, and the breach sent shockwaves throughout the financial industry.

Early reports suggest that the attackers may have exploited vulnerabilities in MoneyGram’s API, which facilitates the transfer of data between the company’s systems and external financial institutions. The attackers potentially used SQL injection or API abuse to manipulate transaction data and siphon sensitive customer information.

Although the identity of the perpetrators remains unconfirmed, analysts suspect the involvement of FIN7, a cybercrime group with a history of targeting financial institutions. FIN7, also known as the Carbanak Group, has previously orchestrated sophisticated attacks on banking systems, often employing phishing emails to gain initial access before launching attacks on financial transaction networks.

Why Transportation and Financial Systems Are High-Value Targets

These two attacks reflect a wider pattern: hackers are increasingly focusing their efforts on sectors that can cause widespread disruption. Whether it’s taking down a transportation network during rush hour or freezing financial transactions, the consequences are not only felt immediately but can also have far-reaching ripple effects. Unfortunately, this is something that terror groups have understood for decades.

The hackers behind both incidents clearly understood that targeting critical services would lead to high-visibility chaos. A shutdown in train station services left thousands stranded without real-time updates, while the MoneyGram hack disrupted financial transfers that directly affected both consumers and businesses worldwide. The pressure on the affected organizations is thereby multiplied exponentially by the highly visibility and on-going repercussions.

Cybercriminals know that public transportation authorities and financial institutions can’t afford prolonged outages. In the past, groups like FIN7 have deployed ransomware to hold data hostage, knowing that companies are often willing to pay large sums to restore operations. While neither the UK train station attack nor the MoneyGram breach have been confirmed as ransomware incidents, the financial cost of these disruptions is still staggering. According to a 2023 IBM Security report, the average cost of a data breach in the financial sector is now $5.85 million, a figure that continues to rise.

Strategies to Bolster Resilience Against Cyberattacks

The increasing focus on transportation and financial systems is a reminder that these sectors must prioritize cybersecurity. Here’s how organizations can bolster their defenses:

Segment Critical Systems: In the case of the UK train station attack, the incident highlights the importance of isolating public-facing systems from mission-critical operational networks. Ensuring that a breach in one part of the network cannot spread to others can mitigate the overall impact.

Enhance API Security: For financial institutions like MoneyGram, securing APIs is crucial. Implementing strong authentication measures, encrypting sensitive data, and conducting regular security audits are essential to prevent API abuse.

Strengthen Threat Intelligence Sharing: Both attacks reveal the importance of collaboration between governments, private organizations, and cybersecurity firms. By sharing threat intelligence, organizations can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. According to a 2024 report by PwC, businesses that integrate threat intelligence into their cybersecurity strategies experience 35% fewer successful breaches.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Action

We need to stop treating cyberattacks as purely business risks. Immediately.

Cybercriminals are no longer just targeting data — they are disrupting the essential services that society relies on. Whether it's our daily commute or financial transactions, these attacks erode public trust and sow fear into our daily routines.

Digital infrastructure powers everything from transportation and healthcare to education and banking; the need for effective cybersecurity measures cannot be ignored much longer.

More attacks are being prepared as you read this. But when they arrive, will we be prepared to defend against them? The answer to that question is entirely in our hands.

About Silent Breach: Silent Breach is an award-winning provider of cyber security services. Our global team provides cutting-edge insights and expertise across the Data Center, Enterprise, SME, Retail, Government, Finance, Education, Automotive, Hospitality, Healthcare and IoT industries.