Hackers target Brenner Base Tunnel operator

The company operating the Brenner Base Tunnel, BBT SE, has been hit by a cyberattack, ORF Tirol reported, citing confirmation from a company spokesperson to the Tiroler Tageszeitung. A Russian-speaking group called Everest may be behind the attack.

The group is described as an international extortion network that steals data, threatens to publish it and demands money, according to the newspaper’s report, which cited an analysis by US cybersecurity firm ZeroFox.

BBT SE said it responded promptly after learning of the attack and isolated the data source. The relevant authorities were also informed. The company did not answer questions about possible negotiations with the hackers or any payment.

Based on current information, the attack has not affected operational processes related to construction of the tunnel. The company is working to analyse the details of the incident.