A personal data leak occurred at digital asset exchange Bithumb after its internal mobile groupware system was hacked. The company has so far found that information related mainly to employees was leaked, but it is not ruling out the possibility that member information was also included. It is investigating the exact scope of the breach.

On Oct. 28, the digital asset industry and Bithumb said Bithumb became aware the previous day that personal data had been leaked due to abnormal access by an unauthorized external party to its internal mobile groupware system. The system is a mobile groupware platform that employees use to access internal work functions via mobile phones.

The hacking incident is believed to have occurred the previous day. Bithumb reported the incident on the day it became aware of it to relevant authorities including the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) and the Personal Information Protection Commission.

Information identified so far is centered on data about internal employees. Bithumb is also conducting internal analysis while leaving open the possibility that member information was included.

The specific scale of damage, including the exact number of people affected and the types of information involved, has not yet been confirmed. Bithumb plans to provide details as additional investigation results become available.

It has already notified employees of the incident. If a leak of member information is confirmed, additional protective measures such as customer notices could also be taken.

The party behind the attack and the route of intrusion are also under investigation. Bithumb is analyzing how an unauthorized external party accessed the mobile groupware, and authorities are also expected to look into the matter.

A Bithumb official said, "So far it appears to be focused on internal employee information, but we are analyzing the details while leaving open the possibility that member information was included." The official added, "We are also continuing to check the scale of the leak and the method of attack."