Top Tech University Halts Network Operations After Cyber Breach: Experts Investigate Suspicious Activity and Potential Data Compromise

A major Dutch technical university and a source of talent for ASML Holding NV, Eindhoven University of Technology, has shut down its computer network after a cyberattack. Because of the near to ASML's worldwide headquarters—just five miles away—the university has decided to cancel all classes and lectures until Tuesday in order to assess the situation and take necessary precautions.

University Vice President Patrick Groothuis called the network outage a "necessary intervention to prevent worse outcomes." Late Saturday, the school noticed some suspicious behavior on its systems and started looking into the breach right once. No contact has been established with the unidentified hackers, and whether or not critical information was stolen is still unknown, according to spokesman Ivo Jongsma. Monday should bring an update.

With geopolitical tensions over semiconductor production at an all-time high, this episode emphasizes the university's pivotal role in the sector. As Washington tries to limit Beijing's semiconductor capabilities, Eindhoven University has been entangled in the continuing US-China chip spat.

Eindhoven University has received substantial funding from ASML, the only company in the world that manufactures the sophisticated lithography machinery needed to make high-end chips. In May, ASML pledged €80 million to improve the university's cleanroom facilities and train doctorate candidates. An additional testament to the university's significance in chip invention is the fact that it houses ASML's lithography machines for research purposes.

Their knowledge and infrastructure are critical to the creation of technology utilized in sectors as diverse as electric vehicles and military applications; hence, the assault makes one wonder how secure institutions important to the semiconductor supply chain are.

Source : livemint.com