Cybercriminals are taking their extortion tactics to the next level. In a recent development reported by CSO Online, a group claiming responsibility for Salesforce-related data thefts has launched a public data leak site designed to pressure victims into paying ransom.
Their approach isn’t just about stealing data. It’s about weaponizing exposure.
Inside the Salesforce Attack Campaign
The extortion group, reportedly the same actors behind the earlier Salesforce data breaches, claims to have stolen sensitive records from dozens of organizations, including major names like Google, Cisco, Marriott, and Home Depot. Victims are being given until October 10 to engage or risk seeing their data publicly released.
According to the CSO Online article, the attackers didn’t exploit Salesforce itself but instead leveraged social engineering, posing as IT staff and tricking users into authorizing malicious connected apps or OAuth tokens. Once granted, those permissions allowed full access to download customer data and internal communications.
“This attack is a reminder that even the most secure platforms can’t protect against poor digital hygiene,” said Antwine Jackson, President of Enitech. “The weakest link isn’t always the software. It’s often the human. That’s why ongoing cybersecurity awareness, identity monitoring, and zero-trust frameworks are critical. Tools help, but habits protect.”
Antwine emphasizes the need for businesses to build a layered defense strategy, one that includes not just technology but also user training and consistent endpoint monitoring.
Why This Extortion Model Is Different
What makes this campaign stand out isn’t the breach itself. It’s how public and performative it has become.
- Public listing of victims increases pressure through embarrassment and legal exposure.
- Platform extortion: By threatening Salesforce directly, the group is attempting to exploit the entire supply chain.
- Social engineering first: Instead of brute-forcing defenses, attackers rely on manipulating people to gain legitimate access.
- Delayed activation: Weeks or months can pass before demands begin, giving attackers time to exfiltrate and analyze data.
This evolution highlights how traditional “perimeter security” alone is no longer enough. Companies must move toward continuous monitoring, endpoint hardening, and zero-trust network design.
Protecting Your Organization
Organizations using SaaS platforms like Salesforce should take immediate action:
- Audit connected apps and permissions.
Remove unused integrations and review OAuth access regularly. - Deploy 24/7 monitoring and endpoint protection.
Learn more about Enitech’s Managed IT Services and Cybersecurity Services to detect threats early. - Enforce Zero Trust policies.
Implement principle-of-least-privilege access and multi-factor authentication across all systems. - Train employees on phishing and vishing awareness.
Human error is still the #1 cause of data compromise, make security part of your culture. - Test your defenses regularly.
Enitech’s Penetration Testing helps identify weaknesses before attackers do.
This new wave of public data extortion illustrates the shift from stealth to spectacle. Attackers no longer rely solely on encryption. They rely on fear, shame, and urgency to drive payments.
Protecting your business means acting before you’re on that list.
Enitech helps organizations implement the layered defenses needed to stay secure in an era where cybercrime has gone public.
Schedule your free Cyber Risk Assessment (valued at $4,999) today to uncover vulnerabilities before hackers do. Request Your Assessment
