Qantas Struck by Significant Data Violation After Cyber Assault
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Brief Overview
- Qantas suffers a major data breach affecting 6 million customer records.
- Compromised data includes names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and frequent flyer IDs.
- No financial data or passwords were compromised.
- Incident reported to the Australian Cyber Security Centre and Australian Federal Police.
- Qantas provides assistance through a specialized hotline and website.
Grasping the Qantas Data Breach
Recently, Qantas, the national airline of Australia, faced a cyber attack that led to a significant data breach. This event has endangered the personal details of millions of customers, raising alarms about data safety and privacy.
Overview of the Breach
The breach was linked to a call center located in Manila, Philippines, where a cybercriminal achieved access to a “third-party servicing platform.” This platform contained around 6 million customer service records, which were infiltrated by the attacker.
Which Data Was Compromised?
The compromised data encompasses customer names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and frequent flyer IDs. Thankfully, Qantas has confirmed that credit card information, personal financial data, and passport information were not saved in the compromised system and, therefore, remain unaffected.
Actions and Precautions Taken
In response to the breach, Qantas has swiftly implemented measures to control the situation and lessen its effects. The airline has reported the incident to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, and the Australian Federal Police. Additionally, Qantas has established a dedicated customer support hotline and webpage to help impacted customers.
“We sincerely apologise to our customers, and we acknowledge the anxiety this will create. Our customers trust us with their personal information, and we treat that duty with utmost seriousness,” commented Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson.
Cooperation with Cyber Security Agencies
Qantas is collaborating closely with the national government’s National Cyber Security Coordinator, the Australian Cyber Security Centre, and independent specialized cyber security professionals to manage the breach and strengthen its security protocols.
Conclusion
The Qantas data breach emphasizes the increasing risk of cyber attacks on large corporations, underscoring the necessity for strong security measures. While Qantas seeks to address the issue, customers are encouraged to stay alert and report any suspicious behavior concerning their accounts.