In 2015, the global IT system of Volkswagen, Europe’s largest car manufacturer, was hacked by Chinese hackers. The hacking operation was discovered on June 3, 2014, when the Volkswagen system was infiltrated through a local branch in Puebla, Mexico. Despite the long-standing breach, the hacking was never made public until now.
According to twelve sources familiar with the hacking dossier, the hacks have been attributed to Chinese hackers and date back to 2015. The cleanup operation to address the hack is said to be one of the largest in history, costing the company more than 100 million euros. Forensic IT experts found that the hackers were particularly interested in files related to ‘petrol engine development’, ‘transmission development’, ‘dual clutch transmission’, and other technological advancements like e-mobility and fuel cells.
Volkswagen spokesperson Peter D’hoore emphasized the company’s commitment to cybersecurity and stated that they continuously work to keep their IT systems secure. In the midst of this hacking scandal, Volkswagen remains focused on ensuring the security of its digital ecosystems and products.
