Cyberattack on Chinese supplier puts Apple's trade secrets at risk
What's the story
One of Apple's Chinese suppliers has been hit by a major cyberattack. The attack, which took place in mid-December, was sophisticated and may have exposed sensitive information related to the Cupertino giant. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, according to DigiTimes.
Damage control
Apple's response to the cyberattack
Apple has a number of partners in China, including Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron. However, the report does not specify which company was targeted in this attack. The security threat from the attack has been claimed with investigations underway to determine whether any losses or operational disruptions have occurred.
Data exposure
Potential risks of data breach for Apple
The cyberattack could have compromised production-line information, possibly including iPhone product specifics or manufacturing methods. However, both the assembler and Apple are still assessing the exact details of any data that may have been accessed by hackers. Apple's extensive supply chain has long been seen as a lucrative target for hackers looking to steal valuable intellectual property or extort companies through ransomware attacks.
Risk assessment
Apple's protocol for cyberattack breaches
In the wake of such breaches, Apple usually conducts internal risk assessments. These assessments determine the severity of the incident, what kind of data was exposed, and whether any remediation measures put in place by the supplier are adequate. Instead of immediately reallocating production to other facilities, Apple often opts to require suppliers to improve their cybersecurity practices and internal controls.
Past incidents
History of cyberattacks on Apple's partners
This isn't the first time an Apple partner has been targeted by a cyberattack. In 2018, a virus attack took down several TSMC factories, disrupting chip production for Apple devices. Such attacks on suppliers can have a domino effect across Apple's manufacturing network, impacting availability and launch timelines for new products.