Newsinc24 Team 
Air India's customer data including credit cards, passports and phone numbers have been leaked in a massive cyber-attack on its data processor in February, the airline has announced.The incident has affected around 45 lakh customers registered between 26th August 2011 and 3rd February 2021, Air India said, disclosing the scale of the breach nearly three months after it was first informed of it.The massive data leak was caused by a "sophisticated cyberattack" on Air India's passenger service system provider SITA, which is based out of Geneva in Switzerland.
"While we and our data processor continue to take remedial actions...We would also encourage passengers to change passwords wherever applicable to ensure safety of their personal data," Air India said in a statement. It added that while the level and scope of sophistication is being ascertained through forensic analysis and the exercise is ongoing, SITA has confirmed that no unauthorised activity has been detected inside the system's infrastructure after the incident. "Air India meanwhile is in liaison with various regulatory agencies in India and abroad, and has apprised them about the incident in accordance with its obligations," the airline said.
In regard to credit cards' data, Air India clarified that CVV/CVC numbers are not held by SITA. It said that the identity of its affected passengers was provided to it by SITA on March 25 and April 5 only. Air India along with the service provider is carrying out risk assessment and would further update as and when it becomes available, it said. SITA that serves the Star Alliance of airlines including Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and United besides Air India.
Air India data breached in a major Cyber attack. Breach involves Passengers personal Information including Credit Card Info and Passport Details. Other Global Airlines are likely affected too.#airindia #CyberAttack @airindiain@rahulkanwal @sanket @maryashakil pic.twitter.com/XxUORgInJQ
— Jiten Jain (@jiten_jain) May 21, 2021
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