A cyber attack on Indonesia's national data centre caused substantial interruptions to immigration procedures at airports, resulting in long lineups and delays for passengers.
After breaching the data center, the cyber attacker demanded a ransom of $8 million ($12 million), underscoring the government's financial stakes and pressure.
The attack used a new version of the renowned Lockbit 3.0 ransomware, which encrypts victims' data and demands money for decryption keys, a popular and effective tactic used by hackers.
Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi emphasized efforts to restore disrupted services, particularly immigration, while the ministry reported that automated passport machines were operational again.
Digital forensics investigations are underway to learn more about the incident, highlighting the government's proactive approach to addressing and comprehending the breach.
This incident is part of a disturbing trend of cyberattacks on Indonesian institutions in recent years, including a major bank, the central bank, and the health ministry, indicating systemic vulnerabilities in the country's cybersecurity architecture.