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Earth Intelligence

09 May 2024 — 5 min read

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UK Ministry of Defence Cyberattack
CENTCOM Activity

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UK Ministry of Defence Cyberattack:

The UK Government recently confirmed a significant cyberattack at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), specifically targeting a part of the Armed Forces payment network. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps reported to the House of Commons that the intrusion was identified a few days ago and involved unauthorized access to a system containing sensitive payroll data for active and reserve personnel, as well as some recently retired veterans. Despite the breach, Shapps reassured that all payments for April, including salaries, expense reimbursements, and veterans' pensions, were not impacted and have been successfully processed.
The affected system was managed by an external contractor and was isolated quickly by the MoD to prevent further intrusion and to ensure no disruption to ongoing operations. This system was external and had no connections to the MoD’s core network or the primary military HR systems, thereby limiting the potential damage. The data compromised mainly included names, banking details, and in a few instances, addresses, with an estimated 270,000 payroll records potentially exposed. The UK Government emphasized that the intrusion revealed potential security shortcomings on the part of the contractor, which might have facilitated unauthorized access.
While there is currently no evidence that any data was actually stolen, all service personnel potentially affected have been informed of the breach through the chain of command. Veterans who might have been impacted are being notified via letters that detail the incident and the specific data exposed. Additionally, Shapps did not rule out the involvement of a foreign state, suggesting an international dimension to the breach, although the UK government has not officially attributed the attack to any country.

CENTCOM Activity:

On the evening of May 6, 2024, between 11:02 p.m. and 11:48 p.m. Sanaa time, three unmanned aerial systems (UAS) used for reconnaissance or combat, were launched by Iranian-backed Houthi forces from Yemen over the Gulf of Aden. These attacks were met with defensive actions where a coalition ship neutralized one UAS, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces intercepted a second, and the third UAS crashed into the Gulf. There were no reported injuries or damages to U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels. Additionally, on the morning of May 7, around 5:02 a.m., the same Houthi forces launched an anti-ship ballistic missile over the Gulf of Aden, which also resulted in no injuries or damages. These incidents underscored the ongoing threat these armaments pose to regional security and maritime safety.
In a related diplomatic effort, General Michael Erik Kurilla, the Commander of CENTCOM, visited Egypt between May 6 and May 7 to discuss regional security and humanitarian issues with Egyptian military leadership. While in Cairo, General Kurilla met with Gen. Mohamed Zaki, the Minister of Defense and Military Production, and Lt. Gen. Osama Askar, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. Their discussions focused on the security dynamics in Gaza and the Red Sea, efforts to mitigate humanitarian suffering in Gaza, and the overarching need for restoring stability in the region. General Kurilla highlighted Egypt’s pivotal role in regional security and its contributions to facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Concurrently, on May 7, CENTCOM and the Royal Jordanian Air Force carried out a humanitarian airdrop in Northern Gaza at 1:15 p.m. local time, delivering critical supplies to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict. This operation involved three U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft and Jordanian support, which together dropped over 25,000 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and more than 13,000 meal equivalents of additional Jordanian food supplies. This airdrop is part of a broader effort by the Department of Defense to provide sustained humanitarian assistance to the area, with over 1,200 tons of aid delivered to date. Plans for continued aerial deliveries are part of the ongoing commitment to alleviating human suffering in conflict zones.

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