Next-gen missile data, Hacked in Japan report says
The Japanese Defense Ministry is investigating a possible leak of details of a new state-of-the-art missile in a large-scale cyberattack on Mitsubishi Electric Corp, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The ministry suspects hackers stole performance requirements that were sent to several defense-industry companies as part of the bidding process for the project, the Asahi reported, citing government sources whom it did not identify. Mitsubishi Electric did not win the bid for the prototype, the newspaper said.
Mitsubishi Uwach ~
Mitsubishi Electric said it was investigating the report but had no other immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.
Defense Ministry Uwach ~
The Defense Ministry also did not provide an immediate comment.
In January of this year, a cyberattack against Mitsubishi Electric, allegedly by a Chinese cybercrime group, is said to have compromised e-mail exchanges with Japanese MoD and the Nuclear Regulation Authority. In addition, hackers reportedly got access to documents related to projects with private firms, railway operators, communications, and car manufacturers.
The missile is of a type in use by countries including the United States, China, and Russia, which flies at supersonic speeds over long distances and can pass through enemy missile defense networks to make precision strikes, the newspaper said. Japan has been researching such missiles since fiscal 2018, it said.
Among the leaked details may have been range, propulsion, and heat resistance, according to the newspaper.
References:
- https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/05/20/national/defense-ministry-investigating-potential-hack-of-next-gen-missile-details-asahi-shimbun/
- https://www.defenseworld.net/news/27026/Cybercriminals_Hack_Next_gen_Japanese_Missile_Data
- https://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/corporate/gaiyo/group/
- https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-05-19/japan-defence-ministry-investigating-potential-hack-of-next-gen-missile-details-asahi
