Kawasaki hit by cyberattack, hackers leak 500GB of data

Kawasaki’s European headquarters has fallen victim to a cyberattack, resulting in a significant data leak. The motorcycle manufacturer claims the attack was unsuccessful, but hackers have published a large dataset online.

Cyberattack on Kawasaki’s European operations

Kawasaki’s European headquarters in the Netherlands was targeted by hackers in early September. The motorcycle manufacturer disclosed this information on their website, stating that the attack was “unsuccessful”. However, claims from a well-known hacker group cast doubt on this assertion, according to IT magazine “Golem”. The ransomware group Ransomhub has taken credit for the attack, claiming to have stolen 487 GB of data from the motorcycle manufacturer.

The “Golem” editorial team, which reportedly examined samples of the data, found that it contained “phone numbers and other contact information of representatives from various dealers”.

Extent of data breach and Kawasaki’s response

While the authenticity of the leaked data seems likely, it’s currently unclear whether customer information is included in the stolen dataset. Kawasaki has stated that following the attack, they decided to “isolate the company’s servers and establish a cleanup process where all data is checked and suspicious material is identified and processed”.

The company claims that over 90 percent of server functions were restored shortly after the attack. Kawasaki also worked with cybersecurity consultants to mitigate the consequences of the breach. However, the company has not commented on the data published online.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) that encrypts computers or files, making them inaccessible to the owner. The attackers then demand a ransom to restore access to the data.

“Golem” reports that Kawasaki has not yet responded to their inquiry seeking confirmation of the dataset’s authenticity. Recently, the hacker group Ransomhub gained attention by extorting the auction house Christie’s. Just before the New York spring auctions in May, the hackers disabled the company’s website and threatened to publish sensitive customer data.

This incident highlights the ongoing threat of cyberattacks to businesses across various industries, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity measures and transparent communication in the event of a breach.