A cyberattack has compromised data belonging to approximately 31,000 individuals listed in Liechtenstein's register of beneficial owners of companies, foundations and trusteeships, the government of the principality announced.

According to an official statement, the breach occurred during the night between Wednesday and Thursday last week, when unauthorized actors gained access to the country's Register of Economic Beneficiaries, a database used to identify the individuals who ultimately own or control legal entities.

Authorities said the intrusion was detected on Thursday, prompting immediate security measures to contain the incident. The affected system was taken offline while specialists began assessing the extent of the breach and implementing protective measures.

The government stated that there is no evidence at this stage that any information was altered, deleted or manipulated during the cyberattack. Investigations remain ongoing to determine how the attackers gained access and whether any of the compromised data has been misused.

A crisis management unit was established over the weekend to coordinate the government's response and oversee the investigation. Officials are working alongside cybersecurity experts to analyze the incident, strengthen digital defenses and prevent further unauthorized access.

The Register of Economic Beneficiaries plays a key role in Liechtenstein's efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other forms of financial crime by identifying the ultimate beneficial owners of companies, foundations and trusteeships operating within the country.

Located between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein has a population of approximately 40,000 and is internationally recognized for its highly developed financial services sector, which represents a cornerstone of the country's economy.

Authorities have not disclosed the identity of those responsible for the attack, nor have they indicated whether the breach is linked to a broader cybercriminal campaign. Officials said affected individuals would be informed as the investigation progresses and emphasized that efforts to restore the registry securely are continuing.

The incident is the latest in a series of cyberattacks targeting government databases and financial institutions worldwide, underscoring growing concerns over the protection of sensitive personal and corporate information in an increasingly digital environment. (ILKHA)