Mitsubishi hackers took warplane, nuke plant data

The hackers who broke into the computer systems of defense contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries last August managed to take sensitive data on defense equipment including a warplane and nuclear power plant and safety designs, a Japanese news site reported. Asahi Shimbun cited sources who said an internal investigation found signs the information was transmitted outside the company's computer network. It also said there was a strong possibility that an outsider was involved. Mitsubishi Heavy has been involved in the design and construction of many pressurized water reactors in Japan, including the Genkai nuclear power plant in Saga Prefecture operated by Kyushu Electric Power Co. The report said it was the first time sources have acknowledged that defense and nuclear plant information may have leaked from Mitsubishi's computers due to a computer virus. Mitsubishi had maintained it had taken appropriate safeguard measures. In August's hack, 83 computers in 11 locations, including Kobe and Nagasaki shipyards that construct submarines, were found to have been infected. Also infected were computers at the Nagoya facility that is in charge of manufacturing a guided missile system. The Asahi Shimbun also quoted sources who said a further investigation into dozens of computers at other locations found evidence that information about defense equipment and nuclear power plants had been transmitted outside. It said the defense information is related to the fighter jets and helicopters that Mitsubushi Heavy manufactures for the Defense Ministry. Also, the sources said the nuclear plant information included data on anti-quake measures. The report said Mitsubishi Heavy has submitted a complaint to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department about damage to its computer system in late September. It said the police are investigating computer records to determine where the data originated from. — TJD, GMA News