[BreachExchange] Bouygues falls victim to cyber-attack

[Destry Winant]

https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/contractors/bouygues/bouygues-falls-victim-to-cyber-attack-06-02-2020/

Bouygues Construction has revealed it was hit by a cyber-attack last month.

The French contractor was targeted with ransomware – a type of virus
with which cyber-criminals threaten to publish private data or block
computer access unless a ransom is paid.

Bouygues said it filed a complaint, although the global business
failed to disclose with which authorities, regarding the incident and
is working with them to identify the origin of the ransomware, which
paralysed its computer network.

The company said the attack had not halted any construction work, and
that it was working to protect the interests of Bouygues’ customers
and partners.

According to a statement posted on Bouygues' website, all data output
from the company is now “subject to a more stringent security
procedure”. Bouygues' IT teams were said to be working alongside
external experts to continue the restoration of its IT network and
bring its functions back into service. The group has activated
insurance policies where necessary, and thanked partner companies,
customers and suppliers that “spontaneously provided their own
experts” to help defend against the cyber-attack.

The construction industry has become more vulnerable to cyber-attacks
in recent years amid the increasing use of technological solutions,
such as BIM and automation.