Qantas has recently experienced a significant data breach that has affected up to six million customer profiles. The Australian airline detected unusual activity on June 30, specifically on a third-party customer service platform used by its contact center. This breach has raised concerns as it includes sensitive information such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and frequent flyer numbers.
Upon discovering the breach, Qantas acted quickly to contain the situation. The company is currently investigating the extent of the data that may have been compromised, and it expects that a substantial amount of information could have been affected.
Fortunately, Qantas has assured its customers that more sensitive data, such as passport details, credit card information, and personal financial data, were not stored on the breached system. Additionally, no frequent flyer accounts, passwords, or PIN numbers have been compromised.
In response to the breach, Qantas has notified the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Cyber Security Centre, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Vanessa Hudson, the CEO of Qantas Group, expressed her apologies to customers, acknowledging the uncertainty the breach may cause. She emphasized that the airline’s operations and safety remain unaffected.
This cyber attack comes shortly after the FBI issued a warning about increased threats to the airline sector from a group known as Scattered Spider. Other airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines and WestJet, have also faced similar cyber attacks recently.
The Qantas breach is part of a troubling trend in Australia, where data breaches have been on the rise. Earlier this year, companies like AustralianSuper and Nine Media also reported significant data leaks. According to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, 2024 is shaping up to be the worst year for data breaches in Australia since records began in 2018.
Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind has urged both businesses and government agencies to enhance their security measures, highlighting the growing vulnerability to cyber attacks across all sectors. As the investigation continues, Qantas and its customers remain on high alert regarding the implications of this breach.