Table of contents
- A relentless digital siege
- The root of the problem: a devastating cyberattack
- The attack method: trawling for victims
- An unbearable situation for workers
- Inps’s response and measures taken
- Conclusion: a wake-up call for digital security
A relentless digital siege
In recent months, Inps Servizi employees have been living a nightmare. Hundreds of operators, already struggling with low wages and precarious working conditions, are now under a relentless bombardment of phone calls from unknown numbers originating from countries such as Nigeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India.
What initially seemed like an isolated nuisance has turned into a full-blown case of telephone terrorism.
The root of the problem: a devastating cyberattack
The issue dates back to November 2024, when Inps Servizi’s IT systems were targeted by a ransomware attack. According to the company, the attack did not affect operations, but the reality appears to be quite different.
The personal data of thousands of workers was stolen, including names, contacts, and phone numbers. This data breach has led to an ongoing digital siege.
The attack method: trawling for victims
Once cybercriminals gained access to the data, they employed the classic “trawling technique”, bombarding victims with pre-recorded calls, WhatsApp messages, and SMS.
The communications always follow the same script: an initial generic message such as “Hello, may I speak with you for a moment?”, followed by an endless sequence of calls, even after blocking the number.
An unbearable situation for workers
Inps Servizi employees, already burdened with low salaries and job insecurity, now face an invasion of their privacy. Calls come at all hours of the day and night, disrupting both their personal and professional lives.
The issue has escalated to such an extent that unions are demanding urgent action, questioning the actual security of the company’s data.
Inps’s response and measures taken
Faced with this emergency, Inps Servizi has reported the issue to the Privacy Authority, yet the calls have not stopped. The company has promised to strengthen its cyber security, but employees demand immediate answers and concrete actions.
Conclusion: a wake-up call for digital security
The Inps Servizi case is a stark warning about the vulnerability of Italy’s digital infrastructure. If such an important entity can be hit this way, who will protect us from future threats? Cyber security can no longer be optional, and institutions must intervene to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
