Qantas Airways has confirmed that a recent cyber attack has exposed the personal data of approximately six million customer accounts.

The breach is attributed to a hacker who gained unauthorized access to a call center, subsequently accessing a third-party customer service platform that housed sensitive customer information.

The compromised data includes customer names, email addresses, birthdates, and other personal details.

Qantas stated that the incident highlights ongoing cybersecurity threats facing the airline industry and the broader digital ecosystem.

In response to the breach, Qantas has implemented additional security measures to protect customer information and is working closely with the affected third-party provider to understand the full scope of the attack.

The airline has also advised customers to monitor their accounts for any suspicious activity and has initiated communication to inform those potentially affected by the breach.

The incident at Qantas aligns with a growing trend of cyber attacks targeting the airline sector, with several airlines reporting similar breaches in recent years.

The scale and sensitivity of the data involved in such breaches raise concerns about the effectiveness of cybersecurity protocols within both public and private sectors.

Authorities have been alerted to the incident, and investigations are underway to identify the perpetrator and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements concerning data protection and customer privacy.