Thialf ice skating stadium hit by ransomware attack
The Thialf ice skating stadium in Heerenveen fell victim to a cyberattack. The cybercriminals are demanding a ransom in exchange for restoring access to the stadium’s computer system and not publishing the data they stole, RTL Nieuws reported.
Thialf confirmed to the broadcaster that it fell victim to a cyberattack and is in talks with the cybercriminals. “We cannot share any further details about the matter,” a spokesperson said.
The cybercriminals say they have internal documents, employee information, financial contracts, and other “sensitive data.” It is unknown how much money they demanded.
According to the broadcaster’s research, Thialf was hacked by The Gentlemen, a new cybercriminal group that has been active since the summer of last year. Two months ago, Microsoft warned that The Gentlemen is extremely skilled at locking down computers and shutting down networks.
Thialf is the group’s eighth victim in the Netherlands. Others include the Institute for the Dutch Language and a well-known construction company, according to the broadcaster.
According to Thialf, its planned events can proceed unchanged for the time being. The ice skating stadium will host the Olympic long-track speed skating in 2030 - the first time part of the Winter Games will take place in the Netherlands.
