Hackers hit Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Not even Japan's biggest defense contractor was spared from hackers' attacks, a computer security firm reported Monday night. Hackers broke into the systems of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries last August, infecting some of its networks with malware, Sophos said. Citing information from the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri, Sophos said the attacks infected its submarine manufacturing plant in Kobe and the Nagoya Guidance and Propulsion System Works, which makes engine parts for missiles. It added at least eight pieces of malware, some of which stole data, were discovered. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is involved in a wide range of activities including space rockets, the production of jet fighters, shipbuilding, and running nuclear power plants. It said 45 network servers and 38 PCs became infected with malware at 10 facilities across Japan. Despite the initial findings, a Mitsubishi spokesperson maintained "there is no possibility of any leakage of defense-related information at this point." Mitsubishi Heavy Industries first noticed the attack last Aug. 11. It is still investigating the matter and expects to have results by end-September. Sophos noted this was the latest in a series of cyber-attacks against US military contractors, including Lockheed Martin, L-3 Communications and Northrop Grumman. It added US Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn publicly claimed a foreign intelligence agency was behind a hack attack that stole classified information about a top secret weapons system. "Whoever it was who attacked Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and whatever their motive, it's clear that all organizations need to take computer security seriously," Sophos said. — TJD, GMA News