DIGIVESTASI - Brain Cipher, the perpetrator behind the ransomware attack on the National Data Center (PDNS) 2, has promised to release all the data they have held hostage for free. In a statement believed to be from the hacker group, they announced that the PDNS 2 data would be released on Wednesday, July 2, 2024. For context, PDNS was attacked on Thursday, June 20, 2024.

This attack disrupted several public services. Data from 282 ministries and agencies were affected by the attack. Previously, the hackers demanded a ransom of US$8 million, approximately IDR 131 billion.

However, the Minister of Communication and Information Technology (Menkominfo), Budi Arie Setiadi, firmly stated that the government would not pay the ransom.

In a press statement delivered by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) Hadi Tjahjanto on Monday (July 1), it was mentioned that PDNS 2 would recover by July. The government is carrying out recovery procedures accordingly.

If the hackers indeed release the PDNS 2 data for free, public services could recover faster than the government's projected timeline.

The statement from Brain Cipher was posted by a social media account on X named Stealthmole_int. The account wrote that the ransomware gang would release the decryption key for free. Here is their official statement:

"We would like to make a public statement.

This Wednesday, we will provide the decryption key for free. We hope this attack makes you realize the importance of budgeting for the tech industry and hiring highly qualified specialists.

Our attack is not related to any political context; it is simply a test with the hope of receiving payment afterward.

People of Indonesia, we apologize for the impact this has caused.

We also request gratitude and confirmation from the public for the decision we have made consciously and independently.

If government representatives prohibit the public from thanking the hackers, you can do so privately through the post office.

Additional note:
We have left a Monero wallet for donations. We hope that by Wednesday, we can receive some money. (We emphasize that we will hand over the decryption key for free through our personal initiative).

Further note:
This Wednesday, we will prove our words.”

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