Japan Airlines faced a cyberattack that disrupted more than 20 domestic flights. The attack, which occurred on December 26, 2024, was identified as a denial-of-service (DDoS) attack designed to overwhelm the airline's network with massive data transmissions. Ticket sales for same-day flights were temporarily suspended.
Fortunately, the airline managed to halt the attack and restore its systems within hours, ensuring that flight safety was not compromised.
The cyberattack disrupted both internal and external systems, leading to delays of over 30 minutes for 24 domestic flights. Despite the disruption, Japan Airlines confirmed that no customer data was compromised. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and vulnerabilities in cybersecurity, especially as Japan strengthens its defense strategies and collaborations with international partners.
Japan Airlines took immediate action by shutting down the affected router to prevent further damage. Systems were restored later in the day, and flights resumed normally by December 27.
This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in today's digital age.
In the past year, Japan has experienced several high-profile cyberattacks.To recall, in June 2024 Japanese space agency, JAXA, reported a series of cyberattacks since 2023. Although no critical data related to rockets, satellites, or defense systems was compromised, the agency took steps to bolster its cybersecurity measures.
Last year, a cyberattack paralyzed operations at a container terminal in Nagoya city of Japan, for three days. This incident highlighted the vulnerabilities in Japan's digital infrastructure.
In 2018, Cathay Pacific Airways of America suffered a data breach that compromised the personal data of 9.4 million customers, including credit card information and passport details. The breach continued until May 2020.
These incidents underscore the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the aviation industry to protect operations, passenger safety, and organizational reputation.
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