On Friday, a cyber-attack on Air India’s servers resulted in a massive data breach that affected around 4.5 million of the airline’s customers. Passengers’ details, including passport and credit card information, were compromised in the attack, according to Air India.
“As part of our commitment, we would like to inform you that SITA PSS, our data processor of the passenger service system, recently notified Air India of a data security breach involving personal data of certain passengers, including yours,” the airlines said in a communication to the passengers whose data got stolen.
Here is all you need to know about the Air India data breach:
- According to Air India, the cyber-attack that put millions of passengers’ lives in jeopardy involved personal data registered between August 26, 2011 and February 20, 2021.
- “We hereby address to you a personal communication of this data security incident. The breach involved some personal data registered between 26th August 2011 and 20th February 2021 with details that included name, date of birth, contact information, passport information, ticket information, frequent flyer data and also credit cards data,” it said.
- Air India announced in March that its data processor, SITA PSS, had detected a cyber-attack in the last week of February, which resulted in the leak of personal data of some of the national carrier’s passengers.
- Air India said it is in contact with regulatory agencies in India and abroad about the attack, assuring passengers that there was no evidence of any “misuse” of the data.
- Passengers were also encouraged to change their passwords following the breach to ensure the security of their personal information.
- Following the incident, the airline stated that it had secured the compromised servers, hired external data security experts, notified and is in contact with credit card issuers, and reset the passwords for Air India frequent flyer programmes.
“For more information, you can contact on email id aidata.helpdesk@airindia.in, or call on 01242641415 or visit the website www.airindia.in,” Air India said in its communique to the affected passengers.
Air India is currently only operating domestic flights, with the exception of special flights under the “Vande Bharat” mission, as international travel has been halted due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
