The $200m ransom is believed to be one of the biggest associated with the LockBit operation. Credit: monticello/Shutterstock.com

Boeing has confirmed it was subject to a $200m ransomware extortion attempt using the LockBit software in October 2023 after only confirming a “cyber incident” at the time. 

The manufacturing titan reportedly did not pay the ransom to LockBit hackers, leading to 43gb of company data to be posted online.

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The confirmation comes after an indictment that was unsealed by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) this week, which referenced a “multinational aeronautical and defense corporation headquartered in Virginia”. Boeing confirmed it was the company in question to CyberScoop. 

LockBit’s ransom attempt on Boeing is believed to be one of the largest perpetrated by the operation, which is controlled by Russian citizen Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev according to the unsealed indictment. 

While Boeing said at the time of the cyberattack that the incident did not affect flight safety, the manufacturer’s vulnerability to attack highlights the growing concern around cybersecurity in the aviation industry. 

Speaking to Airport Technology for the May edition of Airport Industry Review earlier this year, the CEO of aviation cybersecurity firm Cyviation, Avi Tenenbaum, said that the industry was lagging behind “big-time” on the issue, specifically focusing on a lack of security on board aircraft. 

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The hack adds to Boeing’s troubles in recent months as the US-based manufacturer seeks to regain its reputation following a number of quality control concerns raised by whistleblowers and regulators, including the DoJ and Federal Aviation Administration. 

The wide-ranging issues have seen a slowdown in production at the company’s 737 MAX factories and led to an executive shakeup that saw CEO Dave Calhoun announce his resignation.