Massive data theft in Norwegian companies

Data has been reportedly stolen from Norway's oil and gas and defence industries in what is considered to be one of the largest cyber espionage cases hitting this Scandinavian country.

It was reported on Thursday that industrial secrets from companies were stolen and "sent out digitally from the country," according to the Norwegian National Security Authority, NSN. However, it did not disclose the names of companies or institutions that were targeted.

At least 10 different cyber attacks were discovered in the past year, but the agency feels that the number may have been much higher because other victims might not have yet realised that their computers have been targeted. NSN spokesperson Kjetil Berg Veire said that it appeared that more than one person is said to have been involved in the attack. Also, the attacks have occurred more often" when companies were negotiating large contracts," he said.