Recent cyberattacks on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and several European airports highlight the increasing vulnerability of global infrastructure and supply chains, with potential repercussions for India. These incidents serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the digital world and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures.
Jaguar Land Rover Cyberattack
Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) experienced a significant cyberattack in early September 2025, which led to a production shutdown across its global operations. The company proactively shut down its IT systems after detecting a malicious intrusion. The production stoppage is expected to last until at least September 24, 2025,. The cyberattack has impacted JLR's manufacturing units in the UK, China, Slovakia, and India. A hacker group known for social-engineering campaigns has claimed responsibility. The same group was linked to attacks on retailers like Marks & Spencer earlier in the year. The disruption has affected not only JLR's production but also its supply chain, with suppliers facing difficulties in accessing crucial ordering systems. Thousands of workers in the JLR supply chain are at risk of losing their livelihoods.
Initially, JLR stated that there was no evidence of customer data theft, but the company later confirmed that some data had been compromised. The stolen data could include customer personal information, employee records, and proprietary business secrets. Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that ransomware costs will reach $57 billion annually in 2025.
The cyberattack on JLR highlights the importance of cybersecurity for the manufacturing sector. The manufacturing sector has emerged as a primary target for cybercriminals. IBM X-Force research highlights four consecutive years of the sector being the most attacked industry, with the World Economic Forum reporting attack costs escalating by 125% annually. The incident also sheds light on the interconnected vulnerabilities in modern manufacturing ecosystems.
Cyberattack on European Airports
A cyberattack targeting check-in and boarding systems caused disruptions at major airports across Europe on September 20, 2025. The affected airports included London's Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin. The cyberattack targeted the MUSE software made by Collins Aerospace, which provides systems for several airlines at airports globally. The attack led to flight delays and cancellations, with airports resorting to manual check-in processes.
While the European Commission stated that there were no indications of a widespread or severe attack, the incident underscores the vulnerability of interconnected aviation infrastructures to cyberattacks. The aviation sector recorded a 600% increase in cyber-attacks from 2024 to 2025. The global aviation cyber security market is expected to reach $5.32 billion in 2025.
Impact on India
While Indian airports have not faced any adverse impact from the European airport cyberattack, the JLR cyberattack has direct implications for Tata Motors, given JLR contributes a large percentage to the parent company's revenue and profits. The disruption to JLR's production could affect Tata Motors' financial performance.
These incidents highlight the need for Indian organizations to strengthen their cybersecurity preparedness. A recent Cisco report revealed that only 7% of Indian organizations have achieved a mature level of cybersecurity readiness. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is the national agency for responding to cyber security incidents. The government has taken initiatives to enhance cybersecurity preparedness, including the establishment of the National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) and the National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC).
The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks require constant vigilance and proactive measures. As India's digital footprint grows, it is crucial to invest in cybersecurity infrastructure and expertise to protect critical sectors and maintain the confidence of consumers and investors.
