Connect with us

News

Beirut Airport Cybersecurity Incident: How It Unfolded

On Sunday January 7, Rafic Hariri International Airport’s screens began displaying political messages instead of flight information.

Published

11 months ago

on

beirut airport cybersecurity incident how it unfolded

On Sunday evening, January 7, 2024, Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport experienced a cyber attack that resulted in political messages appearing on its departure and arrival screens, disrupting normal flight information and temporarily halting luggage belt operations.

Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamieh, addressed the public the following day, expressing a commitment to uncovering the perpetrators of the incident and reassuring the public that the airport remained fully operational.

beirut airport cyberattack january 2024

Meanwhile, Fadi El-Hassan, Director General of Civil Aviation, reported that the issues with the airport’s screens had been resolved, and normal functionality had been restored across passenger terminals, including arrival and departure halls.

Despite these developments, official statements from Lebanese authorities regarding the incident were yet to be released, as investigations continued under the oversight of the Lebanese security services, as confirmed by Minister Ali Hamieh.

As of now, no information has surfaced regarding the compromise of airport data, such as flight details, passenger records, or other sensitive information. However, technical experts at SMEX, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing digital human rights across West Asia and North Africa, say that the severity of the cyberattack reveals clues on the motives behind it.

Also Read: The Largest Data Breaches In The Middle East

Members of SMEX’s technical team raised concerns about the cyber breach, stating, “If the perpetrators were able to manipulate screen content and disrupt the Baggage Handling System (BHS), it indicates the possible presence of malware within the compromised system”.

SMEX’s technical experts have also outlined several conceivable scenarios for the attack:

  • The breach may have originated from the airport’s internal network, possibly involving the installation of malicious software by an individual with insider access to the airport’s systems.
  • Another possibility is the compromise of an employee’s device through social engineering or a phishing attack, typically delivered via email or other deceptive means.
  • An employee with privileged system access might have been coerced or manipulated through blackmail, bribery, or threats, facilitating unauthorized entry into the airport’s systems.

Lebanese authorities have yet to pinpoint the root cause of the airport cyberattack, leaving room for speculation about potential sources, which may include internal, external, or even governmental actors.

Related Topics:
Advertisement

📢 Get Exclusive Monthly Articles, Updates & Tech Tips Right In Your Inbox!

JOIN 17K+ SUBSCRIBERS

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.

Published

5 days ago

on

December 17, 2024

By

uae prepares to launch two satellites thuraya-2 and mbz-sat

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.

The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.

Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.

Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.

Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.

Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth

The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.

The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.

Continue Reading

#Trending