A ransomware attack on Collins Aerospace’s Muse software has caused significant disruptions to several European airports, including London’s Heathrow,
A ransomware attack on Collins Aerospace’s Muse software has caused significant disruptions to several European airports, including London’s Heathrow, Berlin Brandenburg, and Brussels Airport.
The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) confirmed that the attack was caused by malicious software designed to lock up data until the victim pays to have access restored.
How The Attack Unfolded
The attack, discovered on Friday night, resulted in the disruption of automatic check-in and boarding systems across several airports on Saturday.
Although the disruption eased significantly in Berlin and London Heathrow by Sunday, delays and flight cancellations persisted.
Brussels Airport reported that nearly 140 of its 276 scheduled outbound flights for Monday were canceled due to the ongoing issue.
Impact On Airports and Passengers
The attack has led to:
– *Increased Wait Times*: Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport significantly earlier than usual.
– *Potential Flight Changes*: Passengers may face possible flight rescheduling or cancellations.
– *Limited Airline Staff Assistance*: Airline staff are stretched thin dealing with the crisis.
Response And Recovery Efforts
Collins Aerospace, the US software maker behind the Muse system, is working diligently with affected airports to restore services.
According to a statement on Monday morning, the company is in the final stages of completing necessary software updates.
Heathrow Airport staff were told to switch to manual check-in and boarding while systems are being restored.
Concerns Over Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware attacks are a growing concern, with organized cybercrime gangs earning hundreds of millions of dollars from ransoms every year.
The aviation sector has seen a 600% increase in cyberattacks over the past year, according to a recent report by French aerospace company Thales.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre is working with Collins Aerospace, affected UK airports, the Department for Transport, and law enforcement to fully understand the impact of the incident.
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