Cyber Incident Victim: Airbus
Date:
Jan 2019
Location:
France
Summary
Airbus detected a cyber attack compromising its information systems, resulting in unauthorized access to employee data. The breach primarily involved professional contact details and IT identification information of European personnel but did not disrupt commercial operations. The company initiated an investigation and implemented enhanced security measures following the incident.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 2 motives | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
On January 30, 2019, Airbus publicly disclosed a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized access to its information systems. The European aerospace company confirmed it had detected a cyber attack that resulted in a data breach, though it clarified the event did not disrupt commercial aircraft manufacturing or operational activities. Airbus initiated an immediate investigation to determine the scope and nature of the intrusion, collaborating with relevant authorities and cybersecurity partners. The company implemented enhanced security measures following the breach, though specific technical details about these countermeasures were not disclosed. While Airbus did not identify the attackers or their methods, it acknowledged that the breach involved access to certain employee data.
Investigations revealed that compromised information primarily consisted of professional contact details and IT identification records belonging to Airbus employees based in Europe. The company stated no evidence suggested operational systems or sensitive commercial data related to aircraft programs were targeted or exfiltrated. Airbus emphasized continuous monitoring of its networks and reiterated its commitment to data protection protocols throughout the incident response. The breach prompted internal reviews of access controls and identity management systems, particularly for employee information repositories. Airbus maintained transparency with affected personnel regarding the exposure of their professional data while continuing forensic analysis to establish whether any specific information was deliberately targeted during the intrusion.