Italian authorities have confirmed increased security around the wreck of the luxury yacht Bayesian, which sank in August, claiming seven lives, including that of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch.
Encrypted Hard Drives Aboard
Concerns have emerged that secure materials from the yacht’s sealed vaults could be of interest to foreign governments.
The yacht sank off the coast of Sicily during a violent storm on August 19. Among the victims were Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter.
There are growing fears that encrypted hard drives aboard the vessel might contain highly sensitive information. Authorities are worried these hard drives could attract foreign interest, including from Russia and China.
Did Not Trust The Cloud
According to Italian prosecutors and Digi24, the yacht’s hard drives may store valuable data related to Lynch’s work in cyber security and intelligence, making the wreck a potential target for thieves.
Lynch, the founder of Darktrace, a cybersecurity firm with ties to British and U.S. intelligence agencies, reportedly did not trust cloud storage and kept important data physically with him.
In response to these concerns, Italian officials have ordered enhanced surface and underwater surveillance around the wreck until it can be safely salvaged. Divers have already begun exploring the wreck using remote cameras to ensure no sensitive material falls into the wrong hands.
