Defence shipbuilder Austal was the victim of a cyber attack and extortion attempt from an unknown attacker . The Australian company claimed some customers had been affected , as staff security information was accessed and ship drawings and designs potentially stolen . The company attempted to sell some material online and publish the information but it believes no national security - related information had been taken , something disputed by the Australian Defence Department . Austal , which operates frigates and patrol vessels for the country ’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.