IRIDIUM

Iridium, a threat actor in the cybersecurity industry, has been involved in various malicious activities with significant implications. The group has been linked to advanced malware tracking activity, with Microsoft previously using an all-caps naming scheme related to chemical elements like ACTINIUM and IRIDIUM to describe such activities. Notably, Iridium was attributed to "Prestige" ransomware attacks on Ukraine and Poland, according to a report by Microsoft. Poland, which has emerged as a staunch supporter of Ukraine, supplying it with tanks and fighter jets, has been a victim of this malicious activity, indicating the global reach and impact of Iridium's operations. In the corporate world, Scott Scheimreif has held the position of Executive Vice President of Iridium’s Government Division since December 2022. Under his leadership, a significant development took place on January 23, 2023, granting agencies access to Iridium Certus’ mid-band connectivity and global satellite L-band broadband, along with essential hardware platforms, airtime, and data services. This move marked a pivotal point in Iridium's trajectory, signaling its intent to expand its offerings and increase its influence within the government sector. However, not all developments have been positive for Iridium. In November 2023, Qualcomm announced its decision to terminate its partnership with Iridium, effective from December 3, 2023. The termination came about because smartphone makers did not implement the technology provided by Qualcomm into their devices. This setback represents a significant blow to Iridium's plans and may necessitate a strategic shift in its future operations.