TechFlow news — On September 19, according to Fortune, the operator of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is facing a serious cybersecurity threat. Airport management official Lance Lyttle reported to the U.S. Senate Committee on September 19 that the hacker group Rhysida has demanded 100 bitcoins (approximately $6 million) in ransom following a cyberattack on the airport last month, threatening to release stolen files unless paid.
Lyttle stated that the hackers have already published eight stolen documents on the dark web, though he did not disclose their specific contents. The airport has decided not to pay the ransom, citing it as contrary to taxpayers’ interests. The FBI is currently conducting a criminal investigation. The attack began on August 24, during a busy period ahead of the Labor Day holiday. While flight operations were unaffected, systems for ticketing, check-in, and baggage handling suffered disruptions. Some small airlines had to resort to paper boarding passes.
Lyttle said the airport appears to have successfully contained the attack, although some data was encrypted. The airport will notify individuals who may have been affected. Notably, the Rhysida hacking group is also suspected of attacking the city systems of Columbus, Ohio, last month.
