Following a cyberattack beginning at 7:24 a.m., Japan Airlines (JAL) experienced system disruptions, temporarily halting same-day ticket sales and delaying some flights. The issue, resolved later in the day, involved a malfunctioning router but resulted in no data breaches or virus damage. JAL’s systems have since returned to normal operation. No similar issues were reported by competitor ANA Holdings.
Escalating tensions between NATO and Russia, fueled by the provision of long-range missiles to Ukraine, have prompted warnings of potential Russian retaliation. Moscow is reportedly poised to launch attacks against critical national infrastructure in NATO countries, including power grids. This threat coincides with a surge in cyberattacks attributed to Russian state-aligned groups, totaling at least nine incidents in the past year. The UK and its allies are actively monitoring Russia’s actions and working to prevent these attacks.
Minister Pat McFadden will warn a NATO conference that Russia is poised to unleash widespread cyberattacks against Britain and other NATO members to undermine support for Ukraine. These attacks, potentially targeting critical infrastructure and businesses, represent a “hidden war” waged by Russia, including through groups like Unit 29155 and Kremlin-linked hackers. McFadden will stress the severity of the threat and the need for enhanced cyber defenses across the alliance, emphasizing that Russia’s aggression knows no bounds. He will urge businesses to bolster their own security measures to prevent becoming targets.
John Q. Hosedrinker