TSMC pointed out that the reason for this occurrence was “operational errors during the software installation process on new machinery,” and when the virus reached some machines which were connected to TSMC’s internal computer network, the virus spread. Nevertheless, neither the completeness of the company’s data nor any confidential information was compromised.

TSMC stated that they expect that this cyber attack will cause a loss of 2% of 3Q revenue (approximately NT$7.8 billion) and impact profits by approximately one percentage point. However, the yearly earnings outlook remains the same.

This cyber attack incident caused computer systems to crash in TSMCs Hsinchu Science Park 8-inch and 20-inch factories as well as in their Central Taiwan Science Park Fab 15 and Southern Taiwan Science Park Fab 14 factories. Of these factories, the Fab 15 was most severely affected because it is the location of TSMC’s main 7-nm production site.

(TR/ Phil Sweeney)