Brinztech Alert: The Alleged Database of Kabupaten Gresik is on Sale

Dark Web News Analysis

The dark web news reports a targeted data breach involving the Kabupaten Gresik (Gresik Regency) government in East Java, Indonesia. A threat actor on a hacker forum is currently advertising a database for sale that allegedly contains the personal information of 25,591 residents.

The compromised dataset covers a very recent timeline from 2020 to 2025, implying that the data is current and active. The exposed fields reportedly include Full Names, Physical Addresses, Telephone Numbers, and highly sensitive Family Registration Numbers (likely referring to Nomor Kartu Keluarga or NIK). The seller has provided samples to verify the authenticity of the data.

Key Cybersecurity Insights

Breaches of local government databases in Indonesia are critical because they expose the foundational documents needed for all civil services:

• The NIK & KK Threat: The exposure of Family Registration Numbers (Kartu Keluarga/KK) is severe. In Indonesia, the KK and NIK (National ID Number) are the “keys to the kingdom.” They are required to open bank accounts, register SIM cards, access national healthcare (BPJS), and apply for loans. Criminals can use this data to create “synthetic identities” or register fraudulent prepaid SIM cards to commit crimes anonymously.
• Hyper-Local Phishing: The data is specific to Gresik. Scammers can use the Address and Phone Number to impersonate local officials (e.g., from the Kelurahan or Disdukcapil). They might call residents claiming there is an issue with their social aid (Bansos) or land taxes, using the victim’s real address to gain trust before demanding payment.
• Recency of Data (2025): The inclusion of data from 2025 suggests this is not a legacy backup but potentially a breach of a live production system or a recently updated application used by the regency for public services.
• Election Year Vulnerability: With regional elections often relying on accurate voter data, leaks of resident databases can be weaponized to spread disinformation or cast doubt on the integrity of local voter rolls (DPT).

Mitigation Strategies

To protect residents and government integrity, the following strategies are recommended:

• Official Investigation: The Diskominfo Gresik (Department of Communication and Informatics) must immediately analyze the sample data to identify the source application and patch the vulnerability.
• Public Advisory: The Regency government should issue a warning to residents via official social media channels, advising them to be wary of unsolicited calls asking for money or data verification, even if the caller knows their address.
• Vendor Audit: If the data originated from a third-party app (e.g., a smart city app or public complaint system), that vendor’s access should be suspended pending a security review.
• Data Monitoring: Residents should check if their NIK is being used for unauthorized loans (Pinjol) or unknown SIM card registrations.

Secure Your Business with Brinztech — Global Cybersecurity Solutions

Brinztech protects organizations worldwide from evolving cyber threats. Whether you’re a startup or a global enterprise, our expert solutions keep your digital assets safe and your operations running smoothly.

Questions or Feedback?

For expert advice, use our ‘Ask an Analyst’ feature. Brinztech does not warrant the validity of external claims. For general inquiries or to report this post, please email us: contact@brinztech.com