Japanese steel companies hit by cyber attacks

Kyodo News reports that Japan's Ministry of Defense has confirmed that Kobe Steel Ltd and satellite data provider Pasco Corp have been targeted by cyber attacks, the latest in a series of confirmed attacks against Japanese defense-related companies. According to Kobe Steel, some terminals on the company's internal network were infected with a computer virus, likely due to unauthorized access from the outside in August 2016 and May 2018.

Rolled metal maker Kobe Steel said a total of 250 files, including security information as well as personal data, could have been stolen. The company has taken steps to strengthen cybersecurity.

Kobe Steel is also a supplier of submarine elements for the military, while Pasco provides satellite data to SDF.

News of the hack came after Mitsubishi Electric Corp. and NEC Corp., key players in Japan's defense and infrastructure industries, admitted last month that they have been subject to major cyberattacks in the past few years.