Latest news with #USIMProtectionService
Korea Herald
14-05-2025
- Korea Herald
SK Telecom completes USIM protection service for all users
SK Telecom said Wednesday that all 25 million of its users have signed up for the company's USIM Protection Service following a major data breach, including those using international roaming. 'Since the USIM protection service for overseas users began on May 12, we have completed the enrollment of all users by this morning. Essentially, all customers have now been covered,' said Ryu Jung-hwan, head of the network infrastructure center at SK Telecom, during a press briefing on Wednesday. The company confirmed that the service has also been applied to all customers currently staying abroad. Following one of the worst hacking incidents in its history, SK Telecom has scrambled to respond, including enrolling all users to its USIM protection service. The company asserts that the protection service effectively blocks the use of illegally cloned USIM cards on other devices, providing the same level of protection as physically replacing the USIM. Previously, international roaming users were unable to join the protection system, but SK Telecom has since this Monday upgraded it to include them. SK Telecom, the country's largest mobile carrier that nearly half of Korea's population uses, disclosed that it had suffered a cyberattack and subsequent data breach of customer's USIM data on April 18. The data breach, caused by a malware attack inside a key internal system called the Home Subscriber Server, resulted in the leak of about 9.7 gigabytes of data. As of now, the exact cause and the identity of the attacker have not been officially confirmed. The mobile carrier has also offered users the option to switch their USIM cards for free since April 28, but the swap process has been hampered by overwhelming demand and a supply crunch. According to the firm, some 16.9 million users have switched their USIM cards as of Wednesday. SK Telecom said it plans to secure around 5 million additional USIM cards this month and another 5 million in June, vowing to speed up the replacement process. To ease public concern, the company on Sunday introduced the new USIM reset solution that allows subscribers to update specific user identification from USIM chips without the need to physically replace the chip. At the briefing, SK Telecom also said the USIM card replacement service at airports will end after Thursday, as not any people are using the service there. 'The staff stationed at the airport will be reassigned to our 2,600 T World Stores nationwide to accelerate USIM replacement services (at the stores),' said Lim Bong-ho, head of mobile network operator business. From as early as next week, the company will also launch on-site USIM replacement or reset services for customers living in remote or island regions. The service will also be expanded to vulnerable groups, including older adults who have difficulties with technology.
Korea Herald
07-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
SK chief apologizes over SK Telecom data leak
Chey Tae-won calls hacking incident national security issue, pledges reform SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won apologized on Wednesday for a recent hacking incident at SK Telecom that led to a massive data leak, pledging to bolster cybersecurity across the conglomerate's affiliates. Chey's apology came 19 days after the country's largest mobile carrier with 25 million subscribers -- nearly half of Korea's population -- disclosed that it had suffered a cyberattack and subsequent data breach of customers' USIM data on April 18. The data breach, caused by a malware attack inside a key internal system called the Home Subscriber Server, resulted in the leak of about 9.7 gigabytes of data. As of now, the exact cause and the identity of the attacker have not been officially confirmed. 'I sincerely apologize on behalf of SK Group for causing concern and inconvenience to our users and the public due to a cyberattack at SK Telecom,' Chey said at a press conference held at SK Telecom's headquarters in Seoul. Chey acknowledged the difficulties customers have faced, including long waits at retail stores to receive new USIM cards, and expressed regret at the company's inadequate communication and response following the incident. 'We will fully cooperate with the government investigation to identify the cause of the breach and to prevent further damage to customers,' Chey said. 'Separately, we will inspect the overall cybersecurity system of all SK affiliates and expand investment in security systems.' He also announced that the company will set up a new information protection innovation committee, comprising outside experts. SK Group plans to set up the new committee under the Supex Council, the conglomerate's top decision-making body. 'It is crucial that we properly establish a security system and address the issue not just as a security issue, but as one that concerns national security and lives,' he said. At the press conference, Chey revealed that he has not replaced his own USIM card but is subscribed to the company's USIM Protection Service. The company asserts that the USIM Protection Service effectively blocks the use of illegally cloned USIM cards on other devices, providing the same level of protection as physically replacing the USIM. As of Wednesday, all 24.11 million eligible customers have joined the USIM protection service, according to the company. About 1 million users remain unenrolled, as the service is currently incompatible with international roaming plans. The company said it is upgrading its system to allow users to use both services by May 14. Meanwhile, some 1.07 million users have switched their USIM cards so far. The company began offering free USIM chip replacements to all users on April 28, but the swap process has been hampered by overwhelming demand and a supply crunch. The company said it plans to secure around 5 million additional USIM cards this month and another 5 million in June, vowing to speed up the replacement process. Following the hacking incident, SK Telecom has experienced a user exodus to its main rivals, KT and LG Uplus. Amid growing calls to waive early termination fees for users, Chey said the issue is still under review. 'I also hope this issue will be resolved in a way that causes no inconvenience to customers,' said Chey. 'Concerns over user fairness and legal matters must also be reviewed. SK Telecom's board of directors is currently discussing the matter.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SK Group Chairman Chey apologises for massive data leak at SK Telecom
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways SEOUL (Reuters) -SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won apologised on Wednesday for a massive data leak at South Korea's largest mobile carrier, SK Telecom, which has caused concern among its 23 million users over the possible theft of personal and financial information. The data breach, which SK attributed to a malware attack, was detected on April 18 and subscribers have rushed to the carrier's outlets to replace mobile phone Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) cards, which the company is offering free of charge. Speaking publicly for the first time since the news, Chey apologised for the concern and inconvenience to customers caused by the data breach and vowed to conduct a sweeping data security review involving outside experts. "What I realised over this is that we've considered it an IT security matter and had people in that area handle it," Chey said when asked what he personally took away from the incident. "I believe we need to look at this as a matter of national defence, not just (data) security." SK Telecom has urged customers to sign up for its USIM Protection Service, which it said provided the same level of prevention as replacing a USIM card. Chey said he has signed up for the service but has not had his USIM card replaced yet. (Reporting by Jack Kim, Heekyong YangEditing by Ed Davies)
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SK Group Chairman Chey apologises for massive data leak at SK Telecom
The logo of SK Hynix is seen at its headquarters in Seongnam SEOUL (Reuters) -SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won apologised on Wednesday for a massive data leak at South Korea's largest mobile carrier, SK Telecom, which has caused concern among its 23 million users over the possible theft of personal and financial information. The data breach, which SK attributed to a malware attack, was detected on April 18 and subscribers have rushed to the carrier's outlets to replace mobile phone Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) cards, which the company is offering free of charge. Speaking publicly for the first time since the news, Chey apologised for the concern and inconvenience to customers caused by the data breach and vowed to conduct a sweeping data security review involving outside experts. "What I realised over this is that we've considered it an IT security matter and had people in that area handle it," Chey said when asked what he personally took away from the incident. ADVERTISEMENT "I believe we need to look at this as a matter of national defence, not just (data) security." SK Telecom has urged customers to sign up for its USIM Protection Service, which it said provided the same level of prevention as replacing a USIM card. Chey said he has signed up for the service but has not had his USIM card replaced yet. (Reporting by Jack Kim, Heekyong YangEditing by Ed Davies)
Korea Herald
04-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Nearly 20 mln sign up for SKT's USIM Protection Service after data breach
SK Telecom Co. said Sunday that nearly 20 million subscribers have signed up for its USIM Protection Service following a large-scale data breach. A total of 19.9 million people had registered for its USIM Protection Service as of Sunday morning, while 956,000 have already replaced their universal subscriber identity module chips, SK Telecom said in a daily briefing. An additional 7.6 million subscribers have booked USIM replacements online. SK Telecom explained that the USIM Protection Service provides the same level of defense against illegal financial activities as physically replacing the USIM chip. The company detected a cyberattack on April 18 that showed signs of a large-scale leak of customer USIM data. In response, it offered free USIM replacements to all 25 million subscribers, including 2 million budget phone users, to prevent potential damage. The telecom provider also urged users to register for its USIM Protection Service. In a further step to enhance security, SK Telecom will temporarily suspend new subscriber sign-ups at its 2,600 retail stores nationwide starting Monday. This move comes at the request of the South Korean government to prioritize customer protection and USIM replacements. Additionally, the company has implemented an automatic enrollment system for digitally vulnerable individuals into the USIM Protection Service. To assist international travelers, SK Telecom has set up temporary booths at Incheon International Airport for on-site USIM replacements. Those using international roaming services are not eligible for the USIM Protection Service and are advised to replace their USIM chips to safeguard their data during traveling. (Yonhap)
