What’s happening?
Qantas has confirmed a cyber attack on a third-party platform used by a contact centre, compromising millions of customer records. The breach was contained swiftly after detection on Monday, with Qantas stating that all core systems remain secure.
Why it matters?
The incident puts the personal information of up to six million customers at risk, including names, emails, phone numbers, birth dates, and Frequent Flyer numbers. Vanessa Hudson said:
“Our customers trust us with their personal information and we take that responsibility seriously.”
Local Impact
Australians who interacted with Qantas contact centres could face potential risks, such as phishing or identity fraud. The airline has set up dedicated support lines to assist affected customers with identity protection advice.
By the Numbers
-
6 million: Affected service records.
-
2: Dedicated support lines launched for customer assistance.
-
0: Impact on Qantas flight operations or safety.
Zoom In
Qantas has notified relevant government authorities, including the Australian Federal Police, and reinforced security protocols on its systems. The airline is closely collaborating with national cybersecurity agencies to investigate the breach’s extent.
Zoom Out
This event reflects a broader trend of cyber criminals exploiting weaknesses in third-party service providers, with customer data often targeted for fraud or sale on illicit markets.
What to Look For Next?
Customers should stay informed through updates on qantas.com and expect direct communication from Qantas if their data is confirmed as compromised.
