FORT WORTH- The pilot union of American Airlines (AA) is currently in the process of restoring its systems after falling victim to a ransomware attack, which is part of a series of cyber incidents affecting the aviation industry.
The union, representing over 15,000 of the airline’s pilots, disclosed that it initially detected the cyberattack on October 30.
American Pilot Union Ransomware Attack
An unnamed cybersecurity firm hired to investigate the incident confirmed that ransomware was used, resulting in the encryption of some systems.
The restoration process is described as methodical and time-consuming for the IT team and external experts involved.
The union is also assessing potential data impacts, including member data, during this recovery process. Such investigations typically require a significant amount of time to be completed.
The organization’s IT team, in collaboration with external experts, is actively engaged in the process of restoring their systems. They have reported that their efforts are making progress, which will soon allow them to reintroduce certain services.
Restoration is Completed
The union outlined its plan, stating that after the initial restoration is completed, it will gradually bring back additional services in the following hours and days.
They are giving priority to products and tools that are directly relevant to the pilots. Their utmost focus remains on the security of their systems.
In social media messages, the union mentioned that the cybersecurity incident was initiated in the early morning hours of October 30.
While some core services have already been reinstated throughout the week, the organization intends to provide ongoing updates on the progress they make.
Aviation Industry Under Attack
In the past six months, the aviation industry has been under constant assault from cyberattacks. Just recently, a major airport in Mexico, known for its high volume of air traffic, fell victim to a cyberattack.
Additionally, aircraft manufacturer Boeing has acknowledged its response to a cyberattack affecting its parts and distribution business. It’s worth noting that both of these incidents have been attributed to ransomware groups.
Furthermore, Air Canada and Air Europa have faced their own cyber incidents in the past month. In September, the prominent European aerospace company Airbus revealed that it was conducting an investigation into a cybersecurity incident.
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