Microchip Technology, a leading US-based semiconductor manufacturer, that distributes its microcontrollers, microprocessors, and other electronic components worldwide, including in India has confirmed a cyberattack that has disrupted its IT systems and chip production.
The company detected “suspicious activity” on August 17, prompting immediate action to isolate and shut down affected systems.
“On August 17, 2024, Microchip Technology Incorporated (the “Company”) detected potentially suspicious activity involving its information technology (“IT”) systems. Upon detecting the issue, the Company began taking steps to assess, contain and remediate the potentially unauthorized activity. On August 19, 2024, the Company determined that an unauthorized party disrupted the Company’s use of certain servers and some business operations,” the company mentioned in its regulatory filing.
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As a result of the attack, Microchip’s manufacturing operations have been impacted, leading to reduced production levels and delays in fulfilling orders. However, the company says it is working diligently to restore normal operations while maintaining the security of its systems.
As a preventive step, the company has isolated the affected systems and shut down certain systems. The incident, which is currently under investigation with the assistance of cybersecurity experts, has raised concerns about the vulnerability of tech firms and chip manufacturers to hacking attacks. The perpetrators of the attack and the full extent of its impact remain unclear at this time.
Microchip Technology is a major supplier of microcontrollers, analog devices, and other semiconductor components used in various industries, including automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics. The disruption to its production could have ripple effects on the global supply chain and impact the availability of essential components for various products.
This incident reflects a broader pattern of cyberattacks targeting semiconductor companies, highlighting the increasing vulnerability of the tech sector. Recently, other major firms in the semiconductor industry have faced similar threats. For example, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Samsung have all experienced data breaches and cyber incidents. Additionally, last year, Russian hackers claimed to have compromised TSMC, though the Taiwanese chip giant reported that only a third-party testing environment was affected.