Calgary-based WestJet hit by cybersecurity breach

In a statement on its website, WestJet said it has been hit by a cybersecurity breach affecting its internal systems and its app. The breach has restricted access for several users, forcing the airline to activate specialized internal teams to protect sensitive data and maintain operational safety. In a later update, the company said its operations were running safely and were unaffected by the incident. An investigation is ongoing with law enforcement and Transport Canada to determine the causes and responsibilities of the breach.
WestJet is the last victim of a significant cybersecurity incident in Canada. At the beginning of the year, school boards in Alberta and other provinces were notified of a cyberattack against PowerSchool, a software company storing personal information. Students and staff data stored with the company were breached during the attack. Last October, the Calgary Public Library was instead hit by an attempted ransomware attack, which shut the system for several days and affected electronic systems for many weeks.