Lockheed attack highlights rise in cyber espionage
“2011 has really lit up the boards in terms of data breaches,’’ said Josh Shaul, chief technology officer at Application Security, a New York-based company that is one of the largest database security software makers. “The list of targets just grows and grows.’’
Lockheed Martin Corp. said in a statement Saturday that it detected the May 21 attack “almost immediately’’ and took countermeasures.
“Our systems remain secure; no customer, program or employee personal data has been compromised,’’ the Bethesda, Md.-based company said. Neither Lockheed Martin nor federal agencies would reveal specifics of the attack, or its origins. Company spokeswoman Jennifer Whitlow declined to comment further on the case Sunday.
This isn’t the first time Lockheed Martin has been targeted. Nearly four years ago, officials revealed that hackers had breached Lockheed’s Joint Strike Fighter program. Officials said no classified information about the military program was compromised, but heightened protections were added.
Analysts said the latest attack would likely spur rival defense contractors like Northrop Grumman Corp., Raytheon Co., General Dynamics Corp. and Boeing Co. to take additional steps to safeguard their systems.
“I guarantee you every major defense contractor is on double alert this weekend, watching what’s going on and making sure they’re not the next to fall victim,’’ Shaul said.
Boeing declined to comment on the company’s network security measures. Northrop Grumman spokesman Randy Belote said in an e-mailed statement that “we do not comment on whether or not Northrop Grumman is or has been a target for cyber intrusions,’’ adding that the company “continuously monitors and proactively strengthens the security of our networks.’’