Cyber Crime
Cyber Attack Hits Renowned University, Classes Suspended
THE NETHERLANDS: Eindhoven University of Technology, a leading institution in the Netherlands and a critical partner for chip-making giant ASML Holding NV, has suspended all lectures and educational activities following a cyber attack.
The university, located just five miles from ASML’s global headquarters, shut down its computer network as a precautionary measure to mitigate potential damage.
Patrick Groothuis, the university’s vice president, described the decision to switch off the network as a “necessary intervention to prevent worse outcomes.” The attack, detected late Saturday, triggered a surge of suspicious activity on the institution’s servers.
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Currently, cybersecurity experts are investigating the scope and nature of the breach. “We are still determining whether any data has been stolen,” said Ivo Jongsma, university spokesperson.
He also noted that there has been no communication with the hackers, whose identities remain unknown.
The university, which plays a pivotal role in training talent for ASML, has been entangled in the broader US-China semiconductor tensions.
ASML, the sole producer of advanced lithography machines essential for manufacturing high-end chips, has heavily invested in the university. Earlier this year, ASML committed Rs 720 crore to enhance the university’s facilities, including its state-of-the-art clean room and doctoral training programs.
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The attack comes months after ASML itself experienced an IT outage in November, disrupting operations globally. The university plans to provide further updates on the incident on Monday as investigations continue.
This incident highlights the growing cybersecurity risks faced by key players in the global semiconductor industry, particularly amid geopolitical rivalries and escalating technological competition.
