In an alarming turn of events, Qantas, the Australian airline giant, confirmed a significant data breach affecting up to six million customer profiles stored on a third-party contact service platform.
Qantas Faces Major Data Breach Affecting Six Million Customers
Qantas Faces Major Data Breach Affecting Six Million Customers
Qantas' recent cyber attack compromises personal data of millions with no operational impact reported.
The breach was detected on June 30, following reports of "unusual activity." The compromised data includes names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and frequent flyer numbers. However, the airline emphasized that sensitive information like passport details, credit card numbers, and financial records remain secure.
Qantas acted swiftly by containing the breach and notifying relevant authorities, including the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Cyber Security Centre, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. CEO Vanessa Hudson publicly apologized, urging customers with concerns to reach out via a dedicated support hotline while reassuring them that operational safety is unaffected by this incident.
This breach mirrors a troubling trend within Australia's cyber landscape, with recent data leaks also seen at AustralianSuper and Nine Media. The situation follows a timely alert from the FBI warning about increased targeting of the airline sector by cybercriminals, specifically the group known as Scattered Spider, responsible for similar breaches at Hawaiian Airlines and WestJet.
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reported that data breaches had surged recently, marking 2024 as the highest year for such incidents since recording began. Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind urged both public and private sectors to bolster their cybersecurity measures against the growing threat posed by malicious actors.
As Qantas navigates this crisis, the focus remains on restoring customer trust and enhancing data protection protocols for the future.
Qantas acted swiftly by containing the breach and notifying relevant authorities, including the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Cyber Security Centre, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. CEO Vanessa Hudson publicly apologized, urging customers with concerns to reach out via a dedicated support hotline while reassuring them that operational safety is unaffected by this incident.
This breach mirrors a troubling trend within Australia's cyber landscape, with recent data leaks also seen at AustralianSuper and Nine Media. The situation follows a timely alert from the FBI warning about increased targeting of the airline sector by cybercriminals, specifically the group known as Scattered Spider, responsible for similar breaches at Hawaiian Airlines and WestJet.
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reported that data breaches had surged recently, marking 2024 as the highest year for such incidents since recording began. Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind urged both public and private sectors to bolster their cybersecurity measures against the growing threat posed by malicious actors.
As Qantas navigates this crisis, the focus remains on restoring customer trust and enhancing data protection protocols for the future.
