Advantest and Applied Materials: Major Japanese semiconductor supplier hit by ransomware attack

Advantest Confirms Ransomware Attack, Investigates Potential Data Breach

Japanese semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest disclosed a ransomware attack on February 15, detecting "unusual activity" within its IT environment. The company swiftly isolated affected systems and engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to contain the incident.

In a press release, Advantest stated that an unauthorized third party may have accessed portions of its network and deployed ransomware. The investigation is ongoing, with no confirmation yet on whether customer or employee data was stolen. If compromised, affected individuals will be notified directly.

Advantest, headquartered in Tokyo, designs and manufactures automatic test equipment (ATE) for semiconductor and electronics manufacturers. With 6,500 employees worldwide and a 2024 net operating income of ¥161.2 billion ($1.04 billion), its clients include major chipmakers in South Korea, Taiwan, and other global markets.

The attack follows a rising trend of ransomware targeting the semiconductor industry, including prior incidents at Microchip (2024), Applied Materials (2023), Nexperia (2022), and Foxsemicon (2022). Advantest is working with cybersecurity experts to assess the full impact and reinforce defenses.

Source: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/major-japanese-semiconductor-supplier-hit-by-ransomware-attack

Advantest TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/advantest

Applied Materials TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/applied-materials

"id": "appadv1771962047",
"linkid": "applied-materials, advantest",
"type": "Ransomware",
"date": "2/2026",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "5",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization’s existence"

{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Semiconductor Test Equipment',
                        'location': 'Tokyo, Japan',
                        'name': 'Advantest',
                        'size': '6,500 employees',
                        'type': 'Corporation'}],
 'customer_advisories': 'Affected individuals will be notified directly if '
                        'data is confirmed compromised',
 'data_breach': {'type_of_data_compromised': 'Customer or employee data '
                                             '(potential)'},
 'date_detected': '2024-02-15',
 'date_publicly_disclosed': '2024-02-15',
 'description': 'Advantest, a Japanese semiconductor test equipment supplier, '
                'disclosed a ransomware attack on February 15 after detecting '
                'unusual activity within its IT environment. The company '
                'isolated affected systems and engaged third-party '
                'cybersecurity experts to contain the incident. An '
                'unauthorized third party may have accessed portions of its '
                'network and deployed ransomware, with an ongoing '
                'investigation into potential data compromise.',
 'impact': {'data_compromised': 'Potential customer or employee data'},
 'investigation_status': 'Ongoing',
 'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': 'Reinforce defenses'},
 'ransomware': {'data_encryption': 'Yes', 'data_exfiltration': 'Potential'},
 'references': [{'source': 'Press release'}],
 'response': {'communication_strategy': 'Press release',
              'containment_measures': 'Isolated affected systems',
              'incident_response_plan_activated': 'Yes',
              'third_party_assistance': 'Cybersecurity experts'},
 'title': 'Advantest Ransomware Attack and Potential Data Breach',
 'type': 'Ransomware'}