Anonymous Collective claimed the Liverpool Airport cyberattack through Telegram, citing grievances against the UK’s support for Israel amidst ongoing conflicts in Palestine. The threat actor asserts the takedown of the Liverpool Airport’s website as a form of retaliation.
The Cyber Express has reached out to the airport authorities to learn more about this Liverpool Airport cyberattack. However, at the time of writing this, no official statement or response had been received from the airport authorities, leaving the claims of the cyberattack on the airport stand unverified.
Alleged Claims of Liverpool Airport Cyberattack and Other Incidents
Contrary to the threat actor’s assertions, the Liverpool Airport website appeared to be operational at the time, indicating that if a cyberattack did occur, it might have been brief and did not significantly impact the website’s uptime.
However, no matter how trivial the impact was, this Liverpool Airport cyberattack sheds light on the growing concern about cyberattacks on airports worldwide. Over the years, numerous airports have fallen victim to various forms of cyber intrusions, ranging from ransomware attacks to politically motivated hacking endeavors.
A recent notable cyberattack on airport occurred at Beirut International Airport, where unidentified perpetrators manipulated display screens to broadcast politically charged messages. The incident highlights the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure to cyber threats and highlights the potential implications for aviation security.
International Airports at Risks: A Growing Concern
Similarly, Los Angeles International Airport faced a data breach, exposing millions of records due to a cyberattack on its customer relationship management systems. Although the breach did not directly impact customer or traveler information, it highlighted the risks posed by cyber threats to airport operations.
In Italy, three aviation related firms, including CNS (Carta Nazionale dei Servizi), Linate Airport, and Malpensa Airport, fell victim to a cyberattack by the hacker group NoName ransomware. Despite the group’s claim of responsibility, crucial details regarding the extent of the breach and the motive behind the attack remain undisclosed.
Additionally, the rise of cyberattacks in airports can be attributed to various factors but it all comes down to the use of technology. Modern airports are interconnected hubs relying heavily on Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems. OT systems, managing physical processes, often lack the same level of monitoring as IT networks.
Airports employ various OT systems such as baggage handling and SCADA/ICS. These systems, along with IT systems like surveillance and access control, face increasing cybersecurity threats. Recent incidents targeting the aviation sector, including cyberattacks on US airlines and airports, highlight the growing risks. Data breaches, ransomware attacks, and DDoS incidents have surged, necessitating better cybersecurity measures to safeguard critical aviation infrastructure.
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