Canadian airline WestJet announced that some passengers’ personal information was exposed in a cybersecurity breach earlier this year. The company emphasised that no payment data had been compromised in the incident.
“A Sophisticated Attack”
According to WestJet’s statement, suspicious activity was detected on 13 June, after which it was determined that “a sophisticated, criminal third party had gained unauthorised access” to the systems. The airline noted that due to increasing digitalisation, the aviation sector has become an increasingly attractive target for cybercriminals.
Exposed Data
The company stated that the types of data affected varied, and may have included names, contact details, travel information and booking documents. However, it stressed that credit card and debit card numbers, expiration dates and CVV details were not compromised.
Cooperation with Authorities
Following the breach, WestJet announced that it has been working closely with relevant security agencies, primarily the FBI and the Canadian Cyber Security Centre. Attorneys general in the affected US states have also been informed.
Other Attacks in the Sector
Cyberattacks targeting the aviation industry have been on the rise recently. Earlier this month, a ransomware attack on Collins Aerospace paralysed check-in and baggage systems at major airports such as London Heathrow and Berlin, disrupting operations.
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