Microsoft & CrowdStrike Team Up to Simplify Hacker Names

Ever tried following a story where the main villain had four different names? Impossible, right? That’s exactly what it’s like in the world of cyber security today.

The same hacking group can appear under completely different names depending on who’s reporting it — Microsoft, Google, CrowdStrike, or another security firm. This confusion can slow down experts, IT teams, and businesses from responding quickly to attacks.

Why Microsoft and CrowdStrike Are Acting

To fix this problem, Microsoft and CrowdStrike are creating a unified naming system for hacking groups. The goal is simple: give each cyber criminal group one official label everyone recognises.

This is more than just tidying up names. It’s about helping IT teams and cyber security providers understand who’s attacking, how they operate, and how to stop them quickly.

How the System Works

Currently, one group targeting businesses might be called Salt Typhoon by Microsoft, GhostEmperor by another security firm, or OPERATOR PANDA elsewhere. Without knowing they’re the same threat, patterns can be missed, leaving businesses exposed.

The new system uses weather-themed terms to indicate origin and type:

• Chinese state-backed groups get “Typhoon”
• Russian groups get “Blizzard”
• Other attackers, like ransomware gangs or commercial spyware developers, are labelled “Tempest,” “Storm,” or “Tsunami”

A simple idea, but a powerful one for business protection.

What This Means for Your Business

We’ve seen clients struggle when cyber threats are reported inconsistently. This unified naming approach helps:

• Spot patterns faster and respond to attacks more quickly
• Improve threat intelligence, reducing the chance of missed warnings
• Protect smaller businesses, who may not have dedicated security teams, by making threat information clearer

Collaboration between Microsoft, CrowdStrike, and other major security players makes cyber security less chaotic and more effective for everyone.

Take Action Now

Even with improved naming, cyber attacks are still a constant risk. Businesses that stay reactive rather than proactive can face data breaches, operational downtime, and financial loss.

If you want your business better protected, reach out to discuss how SJ Systems can help you respond faster and stay ahead of cyber threats. Visit our cyber security services
page or get in touch today.