Lockheed Martin Corp, SecureIDs, EMC, and All That

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Update: (May 29, 2011)

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The good news is that Lockheed seems to be doing something about the possibility that their networks have been hacked.

The bad news is that dealing with the issue is expensive. Also, that folks may be at risk as a result of stolen data.

From yesterday's news:

"Hackers may have infiltrated the networks of top US weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp., The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing a person with knowledge of the attacks.

"The security disruptions prompted the company to step up measures to protect its data. It wasn't immediately clear if any sensitive information was stolen or compromised...."

"...Lockheed sent 90,000 replacement SecureIDs to employees, which is being paid for by RSA, this person said. Employees were also told to reset all of their passwords used throughout the entire company as a precaution.

"EMC in March disclosed that it had been hit by a sophisticated cyber attack on its SecurID products, which are widely used by corporate clients...."
(The Wall Street Journal, via FoxNews.com)

On the 'misery loves company' principle, Lockheed isn't alone. Folks using some Sony products and services recently had an unpleasant experience - which doesn't have much to do with the war on terror, most likely, but shows how today's information technology can be a risk, as well as a boon.

As for the Lockheed Martin security issue: I have no idea who may have been behind it. We could be looking at anything from industrial espionage to international terrorists. Or some kid with an Internet connection and too much time to kill.

Related posts:

• "Lemming Tracks: Bad News From Sony; and Getting a Grip"
  (May 3, 2011)
• "China. Hackers. Cyberattack. Again."
  (February 22, 2010)
• "Pentagon Computers Hacked - Joint Strike Fighter Project Data This Time"
  (April 21, 2009)
• "Cyberspy Network Hacked 103 Countries' Systems"
  (March 29, 2009)
• "World Bank Group Network Hacked; Chinese IPs Used: Just What We Need"
  (October 10, 2008)

In the news:

• "Lockheed Network Reportedly Suffers Security Breach"
  The Wall Street Journal, via FoxNews.com (May 28, 2011)