A Bengaluru-based company, Whiteboard Technologies Pvt Ltd, has fallen victim to a ransomware attack, with hackers demanding a ransom of up to $70,000 (Rs 60.26 lakh) for the release of its encrypted data. The attack took place between 4:23 pm and 5 pm on March 31. Whiteboard Technologies, which provides structural steel detailing services and has a branch in Corcoran, USA, reported the incident after confirming the breach.

Radha Krishnan S, the company’s HR executive, filed a complaint on April 7 with the police, stating that the hackers had accessed and encrypted the company’s database, stealing sensitive customer information and business data. The attackers have threatened to leak the stolen data unless the ransom is paid. Communication from the hackers is being made via Telegram and email.

The North CEN police have registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act. Investigators are working closely with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to decode the encryption and recover the data. However, without a decryption key from the hackers, the chances of data recovery are slim unless there is a backup in place.

Ransomware attacks, where hackers encrypt data and demand a ransom for decryption, are becoming increasingly common. Recent high-profile cases, like WannaCry and CryptoLocker, have raised awareness about the threat.