The Opus building in Dubai designed by the late Zaha Hadid, who founded Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). Reem Mohammed/The National
The Opus building in Dubai designed by the late Zaha Hadid, who founded Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). Reem Mohammed/The National
The Opus building in Dubai designed by the late Zaha Hadid, who founded Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). Reem Mohammed/The National
The Opus building in Dubai designed by the late Zaha Hadid, who founded Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). Reem Mohammed/The National

Zaha Hadid Architects says it will not pay ransom after cyber attack


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Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has said it will not pay a ransom following a cyber attack on the firm last week, where a group of hackers threatened to leak its data.

It was revealed on Monday that a group of hackers threatened to leak data from the London-based firm established by the world-famous architect of the same name. ZHA, which first reported the incident to the authorities on April 21, is behind the design of hundreds of high-end buildings all over the world.

The hackers, who call themselves “Light”, stole data from the company’s network and encrypted everything with ransomware. They are now threatening to release the files onto the dark web if the company refuses to pay a undisclosed ransom settlement. ZHA has said the data was backed up.

The hackers provided American website ZDNet with proof that they have the ZHA files in their possession and said that the architecture firm refused to engage with them. ZHA reportedly contacted the police soon as its staff knew of the data breach, but did not comment on additional questions about the hack from the US website.

The files include financial documents, employee details, life insurance details, employee contracts, email inbox dumps, and more.

Ransomware is frequently used by criminal networks to steal data from large companies. The annual cost to companies from such attacks is due to hit $17 billion in this year, up from 11.5 billion in 2019, according to Safety Detectives.

Earlier this month the British National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned that the frequency and severity of cyber attacks were likely to increase amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Baghdad-born architect Zaha Hadid designed buildings including the London Aquatics Centre and Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Bridge.

She died of a heart attack aged 65 in March 2016 but her company continues to design important buildings, including the new Central Bank of Iraq headquarters in Baghdad and the Navi Mumbai Interational Aiport in India.

Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

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It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


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