US defence firm Lockheed Martin hit by cyber-attack

[Gerald]

US defence firm Lockheed Martin says it has come under a significant cyber-attack, which took place last week.

Few details were available, but Lockheed said its security team had detected the threat quickly and ensured that none of its programmes had been compromised.

The Pentagon said it is working to establish the extent of the breach.

Lockheed makes fighter jets, warships and multi-billion dollar weapons systems sold worldwide.

Lt Col April Cunningham, speaking for the US defence department, said the impact on the Pentagon was "minimal and we don't expect any adverse effect".

Lockheed Martin said in a statement that it detected the attack on 21 May "almost immediately" and took counter-measures.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13587785


Note: 29 May 2011 Last updated at 06:39 GMT

[Gerald]

[Stealhead]

I wonder who was behind that attack? I understand that both China and Russia have shown much interest and
have even employed cyber attacks before.

[Gerald]

Speculation is in full swing ... but not at all certain that it comes from what many believe, therefore, Asian or otherwise, competitors will not be ignored nor.

[Stealhead]

What? I think you sent that post in mid sentence.

I'm just saying you know that it was not Boeing or Northrop Grumman that is for sure.

[Gerald]

Anything is possible, but I admit that these two are unlikely, as you mention.

[SgtPotato]

"The world will be mine... Until I get the blueprints from Lockheed Martin!"

[Gerald]

The US is set to publish plans that will categorise cyber-attacks as acts of war, the Pentagon says.

In future, a US president could consider economic sanctions, cyber-retaliation or a military strike if key US computer systems were attacked, officials have said recently.

The planning was given added urgency by a cyber-attack last month on the defence contractor, Lockheed Martin.

A new report from the Pentagon is due out in a matter of weeks.

"A response to a cyber-incident or attack on the US would not necessarily be a cyber-response. All appropriate options would be on the table," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan told reporters on Tuesday.

Mr Lapan confirmed the Pentagon was drawing up a cyber defence strategy, which would be ready in two to three weeks.

Cyber-attacks from foreign nations that threaten widespread US civilian casualties, like cutting off power supplies or shutting down emergency-responder networks, could be treated as an act of aggression under the new policy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13614125


Note: Update Record, 1 June 2011 Last updated at 16:24 GMT