WestJet faces cybersecurity incident involving app and internal systems

Calgary Herald

12 hours ago

Calgary-based WestJet says it's been hit by a cybersecurity breach affecting its internal systems and its app.
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The incident 'has restricted access for several users,' the airline said in a statement published Friday on its website. 'We have activated specialized internal teams in co-operation with law enforcement and Transport Canada to investigate the matter and limit impacts.'
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WestJet's teams were working to maintain operational safety and protect any sensitive data belonging to customers and employees, the airline said.
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'It is too early to speculate on details, though we are committed to sharing what we know as information becomes available,' WestJet said. As of Saturday morning, the airline was unable to provide an update.
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WestJet cybersecurity woes follow a string of similar incidents over the last few years.
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The firm said it learned about the breach on Dec. 28 and notified school boards in Alberta and across Canada in a letter on Jan. 7 that their student and staff data stored with the company had been breached in a cyberattack.
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It was recently revealed a cyberattacker has more recently tried to extort school districts that buy data storage services from PowerSchool, despite assurances from the company that the threat had been averted. The company has acknowledged it had paid a ransom in an effort to secure lost data.
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In October 2024, the Calgary Public Library was hit by an attempted ransomware attack, which shut the system for several days and affected electronic systems for many weeks.
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No data was lost and library CEO Sarah Meilleur said the institution's cybersecurity measures and incident response protocols were able to block the attack.
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In spring 2024, retailer London Drugs shuttered its stores for several days after a cybersecurity breach, and in June 2023, Calgary-based Suncor was struck by a cybersecurity incident, leading to payment problems and other issues at its Petro-Canada retail gas stations.
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