Japanese telecom giant NTT Communications (NTT Com) has confirmed a major data breach that exposed the information of nearly 18,000 corporate customers. The cyberattack, which took place in February, compromised sensitive details, but the full impact on individuals remains unclear.
How the Breach Happened
NTT Com, a leading provider of phone and network services to businesses, discovered unauthorized access to its internal system on February 5. Hackers infiltrated a service order management platform, gaining access to customer names, contract numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses, and service usage details of 17,891 organizations.
The company has not disclosed how many employees from these affected organizations had their personal data stolen. With over 100,000 corporate clients across 70 countries, the breach raises serious security concerns.
NTT Com’s Response
After detecting the breach, NTT Com quickly restricted access to the compromised system. However, on February 15, it found that hackers had also infiltrated another internal device, which was promptly disconnected. The telecom provider has not yet identified the perpetrators, and no known ransomware group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Growing Cyber Threats in Telecom
Telecom companies are prime targets for cybercriminals and state-backed hackers. In September 2024, the China-linked hacking group “Salt Typhoon” was found to have breached multiple U.S. telecom giants to spy on senior government officials. Hackers frequently target telecom firms to steal customer records, which can be used for further cyberattacks.
What’s Next?
NTT Com has yet to provide further details about the companies affected or the number of individuals impacted. The incident highlights the growing risks of cyberattacks on telecom providers, emphasizing the need for stronger security measures to protect sensitive data.
Stay tuned for updates as more information emerges about this major security breach.