A cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover that disrupted production for months is now being linked to Russian hackers, according to a report by The New York Times citing people familiar with the investigation. The breach is estimated to have cost the British economy $2.5 billion and prompted the U.K. government to back a £1.5 billion loan guarantee for the automaker.
Pressure On A Strategic National Asset
Jaguar Land Rover is one of the United Kingdom’s largest manufacturers and employers. The cyberattack disrupted production for months, affecting the company’s operations and wider supply chain.
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New Reporting Points To Russian Actors
For months, the identity of the attackers remained unknown. People familiar with the investigation told The New York Times that the hackers behind the breach were Russian. Whether they acted on behalf of the Russian government, operated independently or worked with tacit state support remains unclear.
An Investigation Involving Multiple Agencies
Microsoft identified the Russian hacking group and alerted Jaguar Land Rover, The New York Times reported. Authorities and cybersecurity firms involved in the investigation included the FBI, the U.K.’s National Crime Agency, the National Cyber Security Centre, Google’s Mandiant and Palo Alto Networks.
A Second Intruder Complicates The Investigation
The report also said a Jordanian hacker known as Rey gained access to parts of Jaguar Land Rover’s network, adding another layer to the investigation into the breach.
