The National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK has arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion of offenses under the Computer Misuse Act. The arrest took place on Tuesday, and the suspect has since been released on conditional bail. This development is part of an ongoing investigation into a significant cyberattack on Collins Aerospace last week, which has had widespread consequences across Europe.
NCA Deputy Director Paul Foster stated, “Although this arrest is a positive step, the investigation into this incident is in its early stages and remains ongoing.” It is currently unclear which criminal group is responsible for the hack. While ransomware gangs typically publicize their attacks and leak stolen data on the dark web, no group had claimed responsibility for this specific hack as of Wednesday.
Ransomware is malicious software used by cybercriminals to encrypt a company’s data and demand a payment for its release. These groups often operate discreetly to avoid drawing unwanted attention from law enforcement. The attack on Collins Aerospace is the latest in a series of cyber incidents in Europe that have led to considerable real-world disruption.
The cyberattack has also affected other major businesses. Britain’s largest carmaker, Jaguar Land Rover, a subsidiary of India’s Tata Motors, announced on Tuesday that it would extend the closure of its factories until October 1. The company’s operations have been paralyzed by a hack earlier this month. Similarly, Berlin Airport, one of several European airports impacted by the Collins Aerospace hack, said it might take several more days to restore its software systems.
