Defence shipbuilder Austal was the victim of a cyber attack and extortion attempt from an unknown attacker. The Australian company confirmed some customers had been affected, as staff contact information was accessed and ship drawings and designs potentially stolen. The perpetrator attempted to sell some material online and extort the company but it believes no national security-related information had been taken, something underlined by the Australian Defence Department. A spokesman for the Department said that while there were many ways in which Australians could be affected by cybercrime, this incident showed how important it is to keep systems secure. ’s navy, said the breach had not interfered with any of its international business.
Defence shipbuilder Austal was the victim of a cyber attack and extortion attempt from an unknown attacker. The Australian company confirmed some customers had been affected, as staff contact information was accessed and ship drawings and designs potentially stolen. The perpetrator attempted to sell some material online and extort the company but it believes no national security-related information had been taken, something underlined by the Australian Defence Department. Austal, which makes frigates and patrol vessels for the country’s navy, said the breach had not interfered with any of its international business.