Carmaker Honda probes suspected cyber attack

skynews

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Honda, the Japanese car manufacturer, is investigating a suspected cyber attack that underlines multinationals’ growing vulnerability to such incidents amid the surge in home-based working during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sky News has learnt that Honda began experiencing issues with its IT network in Japan and Europe on Monday, with technology sources saying that the company believed it was the result of unauthorised attempts to breach its systems.

Further details of the apparent attack, including whether it involved an attempt to access customer data, are unclear.

Image:It is unclear if Honda customer data has been exposed

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Honda, which is due to

close its Swindon factory

next year, said in a statement issued to Sky News: "Honda can confirm that there is an issue with its IT network.

"This is currently under investigation, to understand the cause.

"At this point, there is no effect on either Japanese production or dealer activities, and no customer impact.

"In Europe, we are investigating to understand the nature of any impact.

"We can confirm some impact in Europe and are currently investigating the exact nature."

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The suspected cyber-attack comes three years after Honda suspended production at one of its plants in Japan after discovering ransomware in its IT network.

It makes the Japanese carmaker the latest in a string of big corporate names, including easyJet, to be hit by cyber-security issues since the outbreak of

COVID-19

.