Japanese Defense Ministry, SDF networks hacked; state actor suspected
Source: Japan Times
The Defense Ministry and Self-Defense Forces were targeted by a sophisticated cyberattack in September that may have compromised the Defense Information Infrastructure, Japans internal military network, ministry sources say.
The attacker, possibly a state actor, initially penetrated the Ground Self-Defense Forces computer system and likely stole some information, though the full scope of the theft remains unclear, the sources said Sunday.
The attacker took advantage of a security loophole, prompting the ministry to raise its cybersecurity alert level.
Most officials were mum on the attack, but a senior SDF official called it a very serious situation.
We must quickly take measures to prevent a recurrence, the official said.
At a news conference Monday, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda refused to discuss the matter, saying that doing so might give the hackers a better idea of government security measures.
Read more: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/28/national/politics-diplomacy/defense-ministry-hit-cyberattack-info-may-accessed