On March 26, Western Digital experienced a major network security breach that impacted both customer data and the company itself. The tech giant quickly notified affected customers to mitigate the fallout from the attack and provide them with the opportunity to take steps to protect their personal information. As part of its response, Western Digital suspended its online services to prevent further distribution of data loss, including closing its online store.
However, on May 5, Western Digital released a press statement with updated details about the incident. The company announced that it plans to reopen its online store on May 15. In addition to stealing customer information, the cybercriminals responsible also managed to compromise a number of Western Digital’s partners and private organizations. They also gained access to digital certificates, which the company claims they have recalled as necessary.
The cyberattack had a significant financial impact on the company. In its third quarter financial report for 2023, Western Digital announced that revenue decreased by 10% compared to the previous quarter. However, the report attributed this decrease in demand in the storage and component market, rather than the attack.
It remains unclear how long it will take to fully restore Western Digital’s online systems to their previous functionality and eliminate the consequences of the data breach.