A cyberattack on Newsquest, a prominent UK regional media group, has led to operational disruptions at its local news outlets, causing intermittent website outages and hindering journalists from filing stories. The incident, which occurred on December 11th, has been officially reported to the UK National Cyber Security Centre. Among the affected local outlets is the Southern Daily Echo, serving Southampton and Hampshire, which informed readers about the disruption caused by a series of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
While Newsquest, owned by US media giant Gannett, managed to contain most of the attacks, some readers experienced disturbances. In response to the cyberattack, the Southern Daily Echo assured its readers and subscribers that no personal data had been accessed during the incident. Newsquest, with over 250 local news brands and magazines under its umbrella, faces challenges with its content management systems, impacting websites and preventing journalists from uploading stories, images, and media.
The Gannett spokesperson referred to the Daily Echo’s official statement for details on the incident. The disruption adds to the growing challenges faced by media organizations dealing with cyber threats, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard journalistic operations and reader experiences. The incident underscores the vulnerability of media groups to cyber threats and the potential impact on their digital audience, with Newsquest boasting over 41 million users in the digital space and an additional 7 million print readers each month.
As cyberattacks on media outlets become more sophisticated, ensuring the security of content management systems and implementing effective DDoS mitigation strategies becomes paramount. The disruption also highlights the broader issue of cybersecurity resilience in the media industry, prompting organizations to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their digital infrastructure against evolving cyber threats.
