Customer data safe in cyber-attack: KE

Disclosing that it was subjected to a ransomware attack in the first week of September, K-Electric (KE) said in a statement on Wednesday that its internal forensic investigation suggested customer data remained safe and was not leaked.

“KE’s internal information technology (IT) teams responded quickly to the incident and initiated consultations with international IT security experts and also collaborated with local authorities in line with prevalent cybersecurity protocols,” the statement said.

It added that non-critical services were suspended as a precautionary measure to ensure information integrity, but essential services such as bill payment and the 118 helpline remained active.

The power utility company claimed it had launched a series of critical updates and activities to improve its IT infrastructure, applications and users’ systems, including updating security software, antivirus, data protection and others. Further initiatives are planned to minimise exposure to threats, vulnerabilities and future attacks, the statement read.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2020.