The challenge
A sophisticated threat actor executed a targeted SIM-swap attack by impersonating the client’s CEO and successfully porting his phone number to a new device. This social engineering tactic enabled the attacker to bypass multifactor authentication and gain unauthorized access to the company’s cloud repositories.
The breach resulted in the exfiltration of more than 600 GB of highly sensitive data, including clinical trial records, proprietary trade secrets, and personally identifiable and protected health information (PII/PHI). The threat actor subsequently issued extortion demands totaling $9.8 million and made direct threats against the CEO and his family, creating immediate legal, regulatory, and operational risks that threatened business continuity.
CRA’s approach
CRA’s Forensic Services team was engaged by external counsel to lead the technical investigation. Using proprietary cloud forensic tools, the team traced the attacker’s digital footprint, confirmed the exfiltration of 600 GB of data, and identified the specific clinical trial and intellectual property datasets at risk. This detailed, data-centric analysis provided counsel with the evidence needed to assess obligations under HIPAA and state breach notification laws.
To support rapid decision-making, CRA established a 24/7 communications channel with the client’s executive team and counsel, delivering twice-daily briefings that translated complex forensic findings into actionable recommendations.
CRA’s threat negotiation specialists engaged directly with the threat actor, building tactical rapport while leveraging intelligence on the actor’s operational security practices. Through a structured negotiation process, the team reduced the extortion demand by 82%, from $9.8 million to $1.8 million in cryptocurrency.
As part of the settlement, CRA secured access to the threat actor’s servers, enabling forensic investigators to independently verify that all stolen data had been permanently deleted. The engagement was managed by a purpose-built team led by a vice president who coordinated strategy with the board, while dedicated forensic specialists conducted the technical investigation and threat actor negotiations. Throughout the matter, CRA maintained evidentiary integrity and the highest professional standards.
The impact
CRA’s intervention delivered significant commercial value by restoring operational stability, protecting intellectual property valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and safeguarding the client’s reputation during a critical period.
The team’s strategy for managing regulatory exposure and litigation readiness positioned the organization for long-term resilience. Successful negotiations reduced potential financial losses by approximately $8 million while facilitating complete data deletion verification. CRA’s rapid response, technical expertise, and strategic guidance enabled the client to maintain stakeholder confidence and continue business operations throughout the crisis.
