ID National Data Center falls prey to cyber attack, attackers demand RP131 billion ransom

Indonesia's National Data Centre has been disrupted by a ransomware cyber-attack. The perpetrator reportedly asked for a ransom of RP 131 billion (SG$10.8 million).

The attacker reportedly disrupted government services, most notably at airports where automated passport machines were not functioning, according to Reuters.

According to head of the state cyber and cryptography agency (BSSN) Hinsa Siburian, the disruption started on 20 June, reported CNN Indonesia.

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Hinsa reportedly added that the attack affected a temporary data center in Surabaya and that his party immediately sent a team to follow up on the matter after the attack.

Meanwhile, minister of communications and informatics Budi Arie Setiadi reportedly said that the attacker used a new variant of existing malicious software called Lockbit 3.0.

He reportedly added that the government is focusing on restoring the services of the affected national data centre but did not say whether any ransom had been paid.

In addition, digital forensics into investigation are currently underway, Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, an official at the communications ministry reportedly said.

This is just one of the many data attacks in recent months. Earlier in June, Live Nation Entertainment launched an investigation into a data breach that affected its Ticketmaster counterpart.

The breach was discovered on 20 May, the latest in a series of high-profile corporate hacks.

In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Live Nation stated that they have identified “unauthorised activity” within a third-party cloud database and are working with forensic investigators to pinpoint the cause.

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