Qantas Hit by a Cyberattack Targeting Six Million Customers
Synopsis
Qantas confirmed that they have been hit by a major cyber attack, potentially affecting the personal data of up to 6 million customers. The data breach occurred after a cybercriminal accessed a third-party customer…
Qantas confirmed that they have been hit by a major cyber attack, potentially affecting the personal data of up to 6 million customers. The data breach occurred after a cybercriminal accessed a third-party customer service platform through one of the airline's call centres.
In a statement to shareholders, Qantas said the incident happened on Monday and has since been contained. The airline assured customers that while sensitive information may have been accessed, critical financial data as credit card numbers or account passwords, was not affected.
“Qantas can confirm the cyber incident has occurred in one of its contact centres, impacting customer data,” the statement read. “The system is not contained.” The airline is now working with federal cyber authorities and external experts to investigate the extent of this breach.
Names, Birthdays, and Contact Information Exposed
According to Qantas, the data potentially exposed includes customer names, email addresses, phone numbers, date of birth and frequent flyer numbers. However, the airline said that customer passwords and credit card details were not stored on the compromised platform, which is why they are secure.
Frequent flyer accounts themselves were not breached as well, but associated numbers may have been exposed to the cyber criminals. Qantas has begun contacting affected customers to alert them, offering an apology and sharing details on support services available. A dedicated helpline has also been set up for those concerned.
Qantas Group, CEO, Vanessa Hudson, issued a personal statement - “Our customers trust us with personal information, and we take that responsibility seriously. We sincerely apologise for the uncertainty this incident will cause.”
Federal Agencies Involved as Airline Boosts Security
Qantas is now working with the National Cyber Security Coordinator, the Australian Cyber Security Centre, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. The matter has also been reported to the Australian federal police.
Additional security measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The airline would continue to investigate and update affected customers as more information becomes available to them. Security experts have said large companies using external platforms must remain very attentive, especially as customer service systems are targeted for personal data.
Stay informed. Stay inspired. Subscribe to Inspirepreneur Magazine’s Newsletter for the latest developments on global conflicts, leadership insights, and strategic innovations shaping tomorrow’s world.
At Inspirepreneurs Magazine, covering entrepreneurship, business failures, and the human stories behind the world's most ambitious founders. She writes at the intersection of strategy and storytelling.
