Cyber Crime
Thomas Cook India Faces Major Cyberattack, Shares Dip Amid IT Shutdown
Thomas Cook India shuts down its IT systems following a cyberattack, enlisting cybersecurity experts to mitigate the breach as the investigation continues.
Global travel agency reports critical cyber incident as shares dip slightly post-disclosure.
Thomas Cook India, a leading travel agency, has become the latest victim of a sophisticated cyberattack. In a statement filed with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on December 31, the company revealed that its IT infrastructure was compromised, forcing the shutdown of affected systems. The breach has disrupted services, with the company’s homepage showing a 503 Service Unavailable error.
Immediate Actions and Cybersecurity Measures
The company responded swiftly to the breach, informing stakeholders that necessary steps were taken to investigate the incident. Thomas Cook has engaged leading cybersecurity experts to assess the extent of the attack and implement remedial measures. “We are working with cybersecurity specialists to support the investigation and identify the scope of the issue,” the company disclosed in its filing.
Financial Implications
While the attack’s operational impact is yet to be fully gauged, the immediate aftermath saw Thomas Cook India’s shares dip by 0.53% during Tuesday’s trading session, closing at Rs 195.55. This comes despite a strong financial performance reported earlier, with a year-on-year profit rise of 37.77% for the July–September quarter.
Broader Impact
The attack highlights growing vulnerabilities in IT systems within the travel industry, which relies heavily on digital platforms. Thomas Cook India is based in Mumbai, and the breach comes at a time when cybersecurity concerns are paramount for businesses globally.
As of now, the company is working to restore its systems and minimize disruptions. The incident underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures in the digital era.
