Defense contractor Lockheed encounters cyber attack

Defense contractor Lockheed encounters cyber attackUS defense contractor Lockheed Martin on Saturday disclosed that its information systems encountered a cyber attack but assured that no confidential information was compromised.

The leading aerospace & defense contractor in the world described that cyber attack as "significant and tenacious" and said it was working to determine the extent of the breach. The contractor also claimed that the attack was detected almost immediately on May 21.

Lockheed spokeswoman Jennifer Whitlow said, “As a result of the swift and deliberate actions taken to protect the network and increase IT security, our systems remain secure. No customer, program or employee personal data has been compromised.”

The Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security announced that they offered immediate help after the contractor discovered the attack and that the agencies were working to recommend ways to fix the attack and eliminate the problems.

The Defense Department said the effect of the cyber attack on the Bethesda, Maryland-based defense contractor would be minimal on Pentagon, and no harm is expected from it.