Amedia exposed to serious data attacks

Less than 3 hours ago

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This is because systems for publishing paper newspapers, advertisements and subscription management do not work as normal, Amedia writes in a press release.

Chaotic

– The situation is unclear. The problems we experience are due to an external data attack on some of our systems. We are in the process of gaining an overview of the situation, but do not yet know the full potential for damage. We have already implemented comprehensive measures to limit the damage and to restore normal operations as quickly as possible, says Executive Vice President of Technology, Pål Nedregotten.

Production of material for online newspapers is going as normal despite the problems.

The problems are limited to the systems managed by Amedia’s central IT company, Amedia Teknologi. Amedia’s other systems work as normal, according to the press release.

– All available resources are now working intensively to solve the problems and uncover what damage has occurred. We apologize for the problems that have arisen and which in various ways affect our customers and employees, says Nedregotten

Personal information

It is still unclear whether personal information has gone astray. Amedia can not rule it out, but so far they have no reliable information that it has happened.

– Amedia now works on the basis that customer data can be compromised. If personal information has gone astray, those affected will be informed as soon as possible. This will apply to both customers and employees. In such a case, the Data Inspectorate will be notified of what has happened and how we work with mitigating measures, says Nedregotten.

The subscription system that has been attacked contains the name, address, telephone number and subscription form and history of the subscribers. Other data such as aID password, read history and bank card information are not affected.

The case will be reported to the police, according to Nedregotten.

– Can not remember that it has happened before

Amedia has five newspapers in Western Norway: Firda, BA, Sogn Avis, Firdaposten, Avisa Nordhordland. Avisa Hordaland also uses Amedia’s computer systems.

Tor Godal, acting editor-in-chief of BA, has spoken to employees who have worked throughout their careers at BA.

– No one can remember that we have never been able to publish the paper newspaper, he says.

– I am worried about what the data attack means for our users. It will become clear when Amedia investigates the situation further, Godal says.

He emphasizes that readers still receive news as usual on BA.no.

– What does it mean for you not to be able to publish the paper newspaper?

– It’s a shame for our large crowd of loyal subscribers who every morning look forward to reading the paper edition of BA. We put a lot of work into making a good paper newspaper, and it is a pity that we do not get it published due to such a heinous incident.

The editor-in-chief of Firda, Kai Aage Pedersen, says that they are also affected by the problems, but that they should not have published a paper newspaper on Wednesday, and that the digital production is going as normal.

He is concerned that personal data may be lost.

– We are working on this to find out and there will be more information on an ongoing basis, Pedersen says.

The Editors’ Association very concerned

Assistant Secretary General Reidun K. Nybø of the Editors’ Association believes that a computer attack on editor-controlled media is very serious and very worrying.

– We are particularly afraid that sensitive material may have gone astray, Nybø says to NTB.

She says it is too early to answer whether this could be an attack on the press as such.

– But it is a question you ask yourself when a media house is attacked, and it has such great consequences. When no Amedia paper newspapers are published on Wednesday, that in itself is a big problem, she says.

The national security authority will not comment on the attack, but says it is not surprising.

– We know about the case, but we must refer to Amedia, which handles the case, says senior communications adviser Fredrik Johnsen in NSM to NTB.

Several attacks

Earlier this month warn the security authority against serious computer attacks at Christmas and asked Norwegian companies to be on high alert during the holidays.

– We have seen a sharp increase in cyber operations in November and December. We already know that the threat actors take advantage of days off with lower preparedness, and the risk of attacks on Norwegian companies at Christmas is therefore great. Norwegian companies must take this threat very seriously, said director Sofie Nystrøm in NSM on 13 December.

The US FBI also warned at the end of November that the holiday is a period where more digital attacks are expected. It may turn out that they have been right.

Before Christmas, the Nortura cooperative was subjected to an extensive computer attack which led to reduced activity at factories in addition to goods not being dispatched.

No suspicion of a connection between the computer attacks has been reported.

BT DISHES: An earlier version of the case stated that Firda’s paper newspaper was also affected. This is far from certain, as they do not publish paper newspapers on Wednesdays. This Christmas, the Thursday newspaper will not be published either, so it will only be the Friday newspaper that is affected, if the problems have not been sorted out by then, editor Kai Aage Pedersen informs. The correction was made on 28.12.21 at 16.23.