BACA issues alert after brokers suffer cyber attacks

Richard Mumford

BACA have reported a number of cyber attacks on its European operators and brokers.

It appears that a very sophisticated criminal community is targeting the business aviation sector and have hacked into internal communications systems for access to bank accounts and trading information. These attacks have taken place in both the UK and Europe.

Cyber attacks have been a problem in business aviation for some time but the escalation of attacks in recent months is very alarming. This seems to be a co-ordinated attack on operators and brokers for significant amounts of money.

In some incidents, the attacks have originated through the use of email and system accounts of recently departed employees.

BACA will alert members to the threat and emphasise the importance of security of company websites, communications and payment systems.

“The number of cyber attacks we have heard about has risen dramatically. BACA advises members and non-members to be extremely vigilant and monitor all transactions, both internally and externally, at all times.”

Richard Mumford, chairman of BACA said: “The number of cyber attacks we have heard about has risen dramatically. BACA advises members and non-members to be extremely vigilant and monitor all transactions, both internally and externally, at all times. The Council was advised that some companies were targeted using the communication accounts of recently departed employees. Prevention is better than cure so we decided to issue this alert. To underline the important of this, BACA is planning to run a symposium/training day to alert brokers and operators to the risks, encourage the exchange of experience and ideas, and to help formulate steps that can be undertaken to minimise the chances of cyber attacks.”