Ferrari targeted by hackers with ransom demand for customer data

Ferrari have fallen victim to a cyber attack with the hacker demanding a ransom for the Italian firm’s customer data.

Sky Sport Italy confirmed the news of the hacking at Ferrari, as part of which the details for some of their customers have been stolen, which is serving as the focal point for these ransom demands to be made.

Ferrari has informed these customers of the attack, but will stand firm against the hacker and refuse to pay any fee.

It is said that the attack has not had any impact on the running of Ferrari’s day-to-day operations, with their systems still working as normal, systems which Ferrari say they have worked on with “experts” to strengthen going forward.

For now, an investigation has been launched alongside a “leading global cybersecurity company”, while the authorities are also involved.

“In line with its corporate policy, Ferrari will not accept any ransom demands as agreeing to such demands would finance criminal activities and allow the perpetrators of the threats to perpetuate their attacks,” a Ferrari statement read, as per Sky Sport Italy.

“In the belief that the best course of action is to inform our customers, we have notified our customers of the potential exposure of their data and the nature of the event.

“Ferrari treats the issue of confidentiality of its customers very seriously, and understands the importance of what happened. We have worked with experts to further strengthen our systems, the robustness of which we are confident of. We can also confirm that the breach had no impact on our company’s operations.”

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The tough times for Ferrari stretch beyond Formula 1

Already in Formula 1 it had been a very tricky start to the year for Ferrari, and this incident now adds another unwanted headache for the company.

After their title challenges fell apart in F1 2022, Ferrari were set on returning to the track with a far improved SF-23 that would allow them to mount and this time sustain such a push. The problem is, Red Bull have just become pretty much unstoppable.

Ferrari have been left fighting with Aston Martin and Mercedes for that ‘best of the rest’ spot behind Red Bull, but the Saudi Arabian GP showed that Ferrari have work to do if they are to avoid finishing at the bottom of that particular pile, Carlos Sainz having crossed the line P6 and Charles Leclerc P7.

Here’s to hoping then that Ferrari can solve this worrying situation with the cyber attack with minimum damage caused, and give Red Bull something to think about as F1 2023 rolls on.