Threat Intelligence, Network Security

Hackers go after construction plans for new Australian subs

Shipbuilders bidding to construct the next generation of submarines for the Royal Australian Navy are reporting multiple hacking attempts with the German firm ThyssenKrupp saying there are 30 to 40 intrusion attempts every day.

None of the three shipyards bidding on the contract, France's DCNS and the Japanese government are the other two, said publicly who is responsible for the attack, but The Australian reported that privately the firms believe China and Russia may be behind the attacks. There is no evidence the hacks have been successful, but the sheer number of attempts is forcing the companies to hand-deliver the most sensitive information to ensure its safety.

The ThyssenKrupp attacks all targeted at the company's facility in Kiel, Germany, at a time when the company was finalizing the submarine design it would pitch to the Australian government, The Australian said.

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