TeamFiltration: The Account Takeover Campaign Pharma Can’t Afford to Ignore

 

 

Published: June 2025 | Author: SoftGroup Editorial Team

 

A new cybersecurity campaign is targeting cloud-based business environments, specifically Microsoft 365 users. It’s called TeamFiltration, and its methods are simple but effective: brute-force attacks, credential stuffing, and highly targeted phishing.

For pharmaceutical companies, particularly MAHs, CMOs, and manufacturers relying on Microsoft 365 to manage compliance and supply chain operations, this puts the focus and make it the next headache for the IT team. It’s a direct risk to compliance, data integrity, and operational continuity.

 

 

Why Pharma Is a Target

 

How TeamFiltration Works

 

This campaign doesn’t rely on advanced technical exploits. It relies on poor account security.

Attackers start by:

• Trying common or previously leaked passwords (credential stuffing)
• Sending phishing emails that mimic contract requests or internal messages
• Exploiting unprotected inboxes to search for documents and shared folders

 

Once they’re in, they move laterally, looking for stored credentials, partner data, or access to cloud systems like ERP, serialization hubs, or reporting tools.

 

 

What Pharma Companies Should Do Now

 

This isn’t the first campaign targeting account access, and it won’t be the last. But there are steps every pharma organization should take immediately to reduce exposure:

1. Require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA is one of the simplest and most effective defences against credential-based attacks. It should be enforced across all internal and external users.

2. Restrict Access to Compliance-Critical Systems

Serialization, batch records, and regulatory files should only be accessible to approved personnel. Avoid shared credentials or broad user rights.

3. Audit Third-Party Access

Review access privileges granted to CMOs, vendors, and consultants. Remove any unused accounts and ensure access is time-limited and monitored.

4. Train Teams on Targeted Phishing

Employees in QA, Regulatory, and Supply Chain often receive emails related to approvals, shipments, or documentation. Make training relevant to their day-to-day context.

5. Monitor Microsoft 365 Activity

Use available security tools to detect abnormal logins, unusual file access patterns, or location mismatches. Don’t rely solely on antivirus or email filters.

 

At SoftGroup, we understand that compliance and security must go hand in hand. That’s why the SATT PLATFORM, our flagship serialization and traceability solution, is developed with secure-by-design principles.

 

As a Microsoft Azure-based platform, it offers:

• Built-in encryption and access control for all compliance-critical operations
• Role-based access to limit data visibility based on job function
• Real-time monitoring and audit logging to detect and trace access issues
• Secure partner integration between MAHs, CMOs, and national systems
• Centralized configuration and updates to stay aligned with security best practices

 

Whether you’re managing serialized data, preparing for an audit, or coordinating across multiple packaging sites, we help ensure your infrastructure supports both compliance integrity and cyber resilience.

TeamFiltration is another clear signal: attackers are focusing on the human layer and exploiting access points many companies overlook. For pharmaceutical organizations operating in complex regulatory environments, secure account management is very essential part.

Now is the time to assess how your systems, especially cloud-based platforms, are protected. Because protecting compliance means protecting the systems that support it.

 

 

 

 

 

• Attackers Unleash TeamFiltration: Account Takeover Campaign (UNK_SneakyStrike) Leverages Popular Pentesting Tool | Proofpoint US
• SoftGroup internal expertise on pharma compliance and cloud-based serialization software.