Post by ferryfast admin on May 28, 2011 11:33:16 GMT -5
MAY 27, 2011, 10:34 P.M. ET
Lockheed Martin Hit By Security Breach
By NATHAN HODGE And IAN SHERR
WSJ Weekend Edition
Hackers may have infiltrated the networks of top U.S. weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp., according to a person with knowledge of the attacks.
The security disruptions, reported Thursday by Reuters, prompted the company to step up measures to protect its data. It wasn't immediately clear if any sensitive information was stolen or compromised.
Lockheed spokesman Jeffery Adams said the company, as a matter of policy, didn't discuss specific cyber threats or measures taken in response.
"However, to counter any threats, we regularly take actions to increase the security of our systems and to protect our employee, customer and program data," he said. "We have policies and procedures in place to mitigate the cyber threats to our business, and we remain confident in the integrity of our robust, multilayered information systems security."
Lockheed manufactures some of the most sophisticated U.S. military hardware, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the F-22 Raptor. It is also a major international supplier of military equipment.
According to the person familiar with the situation, many employees were required to change their "SecurID" passwords. The move may have been prompted by an attack from hackers who may have penetrated the company's cyber defenses by using duplicate SecurID electronic keys made by EMC Corp.'s RSA security division.
Remote access to some Lockheed systems was temporarily disabled as a result, this person said. Lockheed sent 90,000 replacement SecurIDs to employees, which is being paid for by RSA, this person said. Employees were also told to reset all of their passwords used throughout the entire companyas a precaution.
EMC in March disclosed that it had been hit by a sophisticated cyber attack on its SecurID products, which are widely used by corporate clients.
Network and computer-security issues have taken on heightened importance in recent weeks after a high-profile hack of several Sony Corp. systems led to a breach of personal information. The breach included the names and addresses associated with more than 100 million accounts.
The Japanese technology giant was forced to temporarily shut two of its gaming networks—PlayStation Network and Sony Online Entertainment—damaging its reputation with customers.
The hack, which was discovered more than a month ago, was so sophisticated that Sony says it still doesn't know if credit-card information associated with the accounts was accessed.
The Sony hack has prompted requests from Congress for information about what information was breached and how quickly the company notified customers and law enforcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has also been called in to help with the investigation.
Lockheed Martin Hit By Security Breach
By NATHAN HODGE And IAN SHERR
WSJ Weekend Edition
Hackers may have infiltrated the networks of top U.S. weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp., according to a person with knowledge of the attacks.
The security disruptions, reported Thursday by Reuters, prompted the company to step up measures to protect its data. It wasn't immediately clear if any sensitive information was stolen or compromised.
Lockheed spokesman Jeffery Adams said the company, as a matter of policy, didn't discuss specific cyber threats or measures taken in response.
"However, to counter any threats, we regularly take actions to increase the security of our systems and to protect our employee, customer and program data," he said. "We have policies and procedures in place to mitigate the cyber threats to our business, and we remain confident in the integrity of our robust, multilayered information systems security."
Lockheed manufactures some of the most sophisticated U.S. military hardware, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the F-22 Raptor. It is also a major international supplier of military equipment.
According to the person familiar with the situation, many employees were required to change their "SecurID" passwords. The move may have been prompted by an attack from hackers who may have penetrated the company's cyber defenses by using duplicate SecurID electronic keys made by EMC Corp.'s RSA security division.
Remote access to some Lockheed systems was temporarily disabled as a result, this person said. Lockheed sent 90,000 replacement SecurIDs to employees, which is being paid for by RSA, this person said. Employees were also told to reset all of their passwords used throughout the entire companyas a precaution.
EMC in March disclosed that it had been hit by a sophisticated cyber attack on its SecurID products, which are widely used by corporate clients.
Network and computer-security issues have taken on heightened importance in recent weeks after a high-profile hack of several Sony Corp. systems led to a breach of personal information. The breach included the names and addresses associated with more than 100 million accounts.
The Japanese technology giant was forced to temporarily shut two of its gaming networks—PlayStation Network and Sony Online Entertainment—damaging its reputation with customers.
The hack, which was discovered more than a month ago, was so sophisticated that Sony says it still doesn't know if credit-card information associated with the accounts was accessed.
The Sony hack has prompted requests from Congress for information about what information was breached and how quickly the company notified customers and law enforcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has also been called in to help with the investigation.