Unmanned drone systems manufacturer, Autonomous Flight Technologies (AFT), has reportedly experienced a cyberattack orchestrated by the BlackCat ransomware group. The attackers have asserted that they successfully breached AFT’s data and purportedly sold the stolen data to an undisclosed foreign entity.
Despite AFT’s notable collaborations with industry giants such as Airbus, NASA, NBC, and Northrop Grumman, the company has not released an official statement or response regarding the reported data breach, leaving the claims unverified.
Threat researcher Dominic Alvieri highlighted the situation on Twitter, suggesting that the threat actors involved in the breach sold the compromised data to a foreign nation, adding an element of uncertainty to the incident.
Autonomous Flight Technologies, renowned for its cutting-edge unmanned drone technology, collaborates on high-profile projects, but the alleged cyberattack underscores the persistent cybersecurity challenges faced by companies in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector.
AFT’s mission focuses on advancing Uncrewed Autonomous Systems, navigation technology, and industrial data acquisition services. The reported cyberattack draws attention to the broader issue of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the UAV sector, as detailed in NASA’s report on Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities for Urban Air Mobility.
The incident highlights the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures in the UAV sector, especially with the increasing role of unmanned aerial vehicles in urban air mobility. The report from NASA outlines vulnerabilities such as Jamming, Spoofing, and Man-in-the-Middle attacks, providing real-world incidents in South Korea and Iran as illustrative examples.
As the sector continues to advance, the security of these technologies becomes paramount, and companies must proactively address and mitigate potential cyber threats to maintain the integrity of their operations and partnerships.
