ESO, based in Germany, faced a cyber incident prompting the shutdown of network and communication services for a software upgrade. The measure aimed to address the cyber threat effectively while minimizing potential risks to the organization’s cybersecurity plan.
Following the shutdown, which commenced on May 17, essential services like email and website access have been reinstated as of May 21. However, full restoration, including services like the ESO and ALMA Science Archives, is anticipated in the near future.
To combat the cyber threat, ESO’s IT team, along with cybersecurity experts, is actively engaged in detecting and removing malicious software across all systems. Simultaneously, they are conducting a thorough investigation into the attack and its ramifications, with a commitment to promptly informing affected stakeholders of any findings.
Despite the network disruption, ESO’s observational operations remain unaffected, with observatories operating on separate networks. Additionally, construction activities related to the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) continue without interference.
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