Japanese automaker Nissan has disclosed a cybersecurity incident affecting its systems in Australia and New Zealand. The company revealed that it is collaborating with security researchers to investigate the extent of the incident and assess whether any personal information has been accessed. While the impact on Nissan’s operations was not specified, the company is actively working to restore its systems promptly. Nissan has informed relevant security authorities in both countries and is encouraging customers to stay vigilant, indicating concerns about potential unusual or scam activities. This precautionary warning suggests the possibility of a data breach.
The automotive industry has become a target for cyber threats, with car companies and insurance providers holding valuable data coveted by cybercriminals. In January, Nissan warned thousands of its finance division customers about the potential leakage of personal information through a third-party vendor. Data breaches in the automotive sector are not uncommon, and cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities to steal sensitive information.
In a similar incident in November, another major Japanese carmaker, Toyota, experienced a cyberattack targeting its European and African financial services department. Earlier in September, several large automakers’ websites faced security breaches, leading to the compromise of nearly 15,000 accounts. The attackers aimed to harvest crucial information about thousands of individual vehicles.
As Nissan addresses the recent cybersecurity incident, its call for customer vigilance highlights the increasing need for robust cybersecurity measures across the automotive industry. The company’s cooperation with security researchers and authorities underscores the collaborative effort required to investigate and mitigate the impact of cyber threats. Automotive companies must prioritize cybersecurity to safeguard customer data and maintain the trust of their user base in an evolving threat landscape.
