The Swiss Air Force has encountered a malicious cyber attack, with suspicions pointing to a Russian-origin group as the alleged perpetrators of the data breach. The incident involves a US security company, “Ultra Intelligence & Communications,” which fell prey to a cyberattack, impacting entities such as the Swiss Air Force. The Swiss Federal Department of Defence has officially acknowledged the breach and is actively investigating the incident.
Approximately 30 gigabytes of documents, including partly sensitive and classified information, were reportedly stolen and found on the darknet, making them accessible to the public. “Ultra Intelligence & Communications” is a provider of communication technology to defense firms globally, with the leaked documents revealing a contract between the Swiss Department of Defence and the US company for nearly $5 million. The compromised information includes emails, payment receipts, and details of technology purchases for the Air Force’s encrypted communications.
Cybersecurity expert Marc Ruef underscores the gravity of data leaks in the military sector, emphasizing that military and intelligence organizations aim to disclose minimal information about their capabilities. The Swiss Federal Department of Defence confirmed the cyberattack, attributing the information to a ransomware attack reported by “Ultra Intelligence & Communications.” Although the operational systems of the armed forces remain unaffected, the potential danger lies in the leaked information revealing vulnerabilities that could be exploited on a large scale, even if the data doesn’t contain technical secrets.
