This cyberattack raises significant concerns due to Microchip's critical role in supplying advanced chips to the US defense industry, supporting critical systems such as precision strike and missile defense weapons, radar systems, autonomous platforms, image processing, and command and control centers. 

Microchip first detected "potentially suspicious activity involving its information technology ("IT") systems" on Saturday, the Chandler, Arizona-based company wrote in an SEC filing on Tuesday. 

"Upon detecting the issue, the Company began taking steps to assess, contain and remediate the potentially unauthorized activity," Microchip said.