Hack attack shuts down large part of industrial group VDL

Source: Netherlands, news live

Hackers shut down a large part of the Dutch industrial group VDL Groep in one go on Wednesday night. VDL, a conglomerate consisting of 105 companies, was down on Thursday due to a large-scale cyber attack. A company spokesperson reported that NRC.

It is not yet known who is behind the attack. The cyber attack targeted headquarters but disabled computers and servers in various industries, including abroad. As a precaution, other computer systems that still seem to work have been switched off to prevent hackers from also taking advantage or stealing data.

Production did not start at the VDL Nedcar car factory in Born on Thursday morning. Employees who do not need access to online systems, such as welders, for example, were able to get started, but many factories were prevented from starting up. First, VDL uses its own and external IT experts to investigate whether the systems have been infiltrated and can be repaired.

Last year, VDL was also the target of a hacking attack, but it was repelled in time. The company’s login details, captured by Russian hackers, were then offered for sale to cyber criminals who then attempted to break into VDL.

Such a large-scale attack carried out in the middle of the night resembles the standard scenario of a ransomware attack. VDL does not yet want to confirm that it is ransomware – although many companies are affected by this type of hackers.

Hostage of files

Cyber ​​criminals extensively extort companies by taking their files hostage (by encrypting them in one fell swoop) and threatening to make stolen information public. The blackmailers usually demand between 0.5 and 2 percent of the annual turnover in ransom. VDL’s turnover in 2020 amounted to 4.7 billion euros. The group, which has more than 15,000 employees, does not want to comment on whether a ransom has been demanded.

One reason that VDL has shut down its servers as a preventive measure is to prevent customers and suppliers from being victimized or sensitive data being leaked via the VDL network.

One of VDL’s subsidiaries is an indispensable supplier to ASML, a manufacturer of lithography machines. An important part of the latest generation of chip machines is made by VDL ETG in Eindhoven. ASML has not just found another supplier of such advanced equipment. The two companies exchange a lot of valuable technical information with each other.

Two years ago, companies in Brabant established the cyber resilience center Brainport, especially for the high-tech and manufacturing industry. This body is kept informed by the National Cyber ​​Security Center about acute threats and vulnerabilities in commonly used business software. Despite these measures, the hackers managed to break into VDL.

A version of this article also appeared in NRC in the morning of October 8, 2021

Hack attack shuts down large part of industrial group VDL
Source link Hack attack shuts down large part of industrial group VDL