# Kiteworks Advises System Shutdown Over Cyber Threat

Kiteworks has issued a critical advisory to its customers to shut down their secure file-transfer systems for nine hours as a precaution against a potential cyberattack, based on credible threat intelligence from federal authorities. Customers are also required to install the latest software update (version 9.5.1) to mitigate known vulnerabilities. This directive necessitates close coordination among IT, security, and business teams to minimize operational disruption and ensure system integrity.

- **Why this matters:** Federal intelligence warnings highlight elevated cyber risks targeting secure file-transfer platforms, emphasizing the need for proactive cybersecurity measures.
- Procurement professionals should prioritize vendors with robust threat response capabilities and ensure contract terms support rapid incident mitigation.
- Organizations using Kiteworks systems must plan for operational downtime and resource allocation to implement security updates promptly.
- This situation underscores the importance of integrating threat intelligence into procurement risk assessments and vendor management strategies.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity
**Published:** September 27, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal intelligence authorities

### Vendors
- Kiteworks (prime contractor)

### Key Quotes
> Kiteworks received credible threat intelligence from federal intelligence authorities indicating that a threat actor may attempt to target some Kiteworks systems.
> — Frank Balonis, Chief Information Security Officer

### Sources
- [Kiteworks urges customers to shut down systems for nine hours over possible cyberattack | LavX News](https://news.lavx.hu/article/kiteworks-urges-customers-to-shut-down-systems-for-nine-hours-over-possible-cyberattack) - news.lavx.hu