Japan Airlines was hit by a cyberattack, delaying flights during the year-end holiday season
Associated Press2 days
Japan Airlines Hit by Cyberattack
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Above: Japan Airlines passenger planes are seen on the tarmac at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2024. Image copyright: Yuichi Yamazaki/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Japan Airlines (JAL) experienced a cyberattack on Thursday morning that began at 7:24 am local time, causing system malfunctions in its internal and external systems.
The airline identified the disruption as a distributed denial-of-service attempt — an attack that overwhelms network systems or servers with massive data transmissions.
The Spin
Narrative A
This cyberattack demonstrates significant vulnerabilities in Japan's critical infrastructure security, particularly as the country strengthens its defense partnerships with allies who maintain stricter cybersecurity protocols, suggesting an urgent need for enhanced protection measures.
Narrative B
The swift identification and resolution of this attack, with no compromise to flight safety or customer data, shows that JAL's existing security systems and response protocols were effective in minimizing potential damage and maintaining operational integrity. While there is still progress to be made, Japan has made significant strides in bolstering its cyber defenses.
