A man in his 40s was arrested in West Sussex after a weekend cyber attack crippled major airports, including Heathrow. The National Crime Agency (NCA) swooped on Tuesday, suspecting breaches of the Computer Misuse Act. The suspect has since been released on conditional bail.
Cyber Attack Sparks Travel Chaos at Heathrow and Beyond
The cyber assault targeted Collins Aerospace, which runs check-in and boarding systems for airlines worldwide. The hack caused huge travel delays not only at Heathrow but also at airports in Brussels and Berlin. Passengers were left stranded and furious as systems ground to a halt.
NCA Calls Arrest a ‘Positive Step’ in Battle Against Cybercrime
Deputy Director Paul Foster, head of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit, hailed the arrest but warned the fight has only just begun. He said: “Cybercrime is a persistent global threat that continues to cause significant disruption to the UK. Alongside our partners here and overseas, the NCA is committed to reducing that threat to protect the British public.”
International Hunt for Cyber Criminals Ongoing
The NCA confirmed investigations are ongoing. They are working closely with international agencies to track down all those responsible for the digital attack that rocked airports across Europe.