In a recent development, the notorious ransomware group BianLian has claimed the cyberattack on Air Canada, one of the nation’s leading airlines, and added it to its list of victims.
Earlier this September, Air Canada had confirmed a security incident that had resulted in the exposure of some employees’ personal information. However, no information was disclosed regarding the threat actor responsible for the attack.
The BianLian ransomware group, which had previously posted about a company on the dark web without revealing its name, has now publicly disclosed the company’s identity, hinting at a failed negotiation.
At the time of the report, the Air Canada official website remained accessible; however, there has been no official confirmation or statement from the airline regarding the Air Canada cyberattack claimed by the ransomware group.
The Cyber Express Team has contacted Air Canada, requesting confirmation. We are yet to receive a response.
BianLian ransomware, a group with a history of high-profile cyberattacks, has reportedly targeted the airline’s digital infrastructure in a sophisticated and coordinated effort.
Air Canada Cyberattack: What Was Exposed?
Earlier this September, Canada’s national airline experienced a data breach where a threat actor gained limited access to one of its internal systems.
Air Canada had confirmed that the security incident had resulted in the exposure of some employees’ personal information.
“An unauthorized group briefly obtained limited access to an internal Air Canada system related to limited personal information of some employees and certain records.”
However, the airline assured that the Air Canada breach did not affect its flight operations systems, and no customer information was compromised as customer-facing systems were not accessed.
“We can also confirm all our systems are fully operational. We have since implemented further enhancements to our security measures, including with the help of leading global cyber security experts, to prevent such incidents in the future as part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining the security of the data we hold.
Cyberattack on Air Canada: Passenger Data Security at Risk
The intrusion of a major airline’s digital infrastructure by a cybercriminal group raises significant concerns regarding data security and the potential impact on both the airline and its passengers.
While we await official confirmation from Air Canada, the extent of the breach, the nature of the compromised data, and the motives behind this cyberattack remain subjects of intense scrutiny.
Nevertheless, we have seen similar cyberattacks in the not-so-distant past. Just a few months ago, in June of 2023, Star Alliance, recognized as the world’s most extensive international airline coalition, was allegedly targeted in a cyberattack perpetrated by the infamous Türk Hack Team.
The cyber landscape is ever-changing, and these incidents serve as a reminder of the constant threats faced by organizations and the critical need for efficient cybersecurity measures.
As the investigation unfolds on Air Canada cyberattack and the story develops, we encourage passengers and individuals connected with Air Canada or any other airlines to remain vigilant, take necessary precautions such as changing passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and staying alert to potential phishing attempts.
This story is still unfolding, and The Cyber Express will provide updates as more information becomes available. Please stay tuned for the latest developments in this ongoing story.
Media Disclaimer: This report is based on internal and external research obtained through various means. The information provided is for reference purposes only, and users bear full responsibility for their reliance on it. The Cyber Express assumes no liability for the accuracy or consequences of using this information.