**Japanese Telco Giant NTT Com Says Hackers Accessed Details of Almost 18,000 Organizations**

A major cyberattack has left Japanese telco giant NTT Communications (NTT Com) exposed, with hackers gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information from almost 18,000 corporate customers. The Tokyo-based company, which provides phone and network services to enterprises, confirmed the breach on February 5 after discovering that hackers had compromised an internal system used for managing service orders.

**Widespread Impact**

The data breach has affected an as-yet-unknown number of individuals, with NTT Com revealing that the stolen information includes customer names, contract numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses, and details on service usage belonging to 17,891 organizations. The extent of the breach is staggering, with NTT Com having more than 100,000 corporate customers in 70 countries around the world.

**Lack of Details**

NTT Com has not yet shared any information about the companies that had data stolen or how many individual employees had personal information taken during the breach. The company did, however, say it "immediately restricted access" to the compromised device within its internal systems. After detecting the breach, NTT Com discovered on February 15 that another device in its internal network had been compromised by the attackers.

**Uncertainty Surrounds the Attackers**

The identity of the hackers behind the February breach remains unknown, and the specific nature of the cyberattack is still under investigation. The attack has not yet been claimed by any major ransomware group, leaving many questions unanswered. Telecom organizations have become a major focus for cybercriminals and nation-backed hackers in recent years.

**Ripple Effects**

The cyberattack on NTT Com highlights the growing vulnerability of telecom companies to cyber threats. In September 2024, it was revealed that the China-linked "Salt Typhoon" hacking group had breached several U.S. phone and internet giants to gain access to the private communications of senior U.S. government officials. This incident demonstrates the ongoing threat posed by nation-backed hackers.

**What's Next?**

As NTT Com continues to investigate the breach, it is essential for affected organizations to take immediate action to protect their sensitive data. Cybercriminals are known to target the banks of phone records stored by telco giants, which can be used for further cyberattacks. We urge readers to stay vigilant and take steps to safeguard their personal information.

**Securely Contact Us**

If you were notified about the NTT Com data breach or have any concerns about your own sensitive information, we invite you to reach out securely. You can contact Carly Page on Signal at +44 1536 853968 or via email at carly.page@techcrunch.com. Alternatively, you can submit a tip through SecureDrop.

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